Factors That Impact 401(k) Fees For Ovintiv Employees

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Ovintiv Ovintiv utilizes several healthcare providers for its employees' health coverage, with a primary focus on large national insurers. Notable among these are UnitedHealthcare and Anthem, which are typically selected to offer comprehensive healthcare plans that cover a wide array of services including preventive care, emergency services, and specialty medications. Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 In 2026, Ovintiv employees may face substantial increases in healthcare costs, primarily due to anticipated hikes in Affordable Care Act (ACA) market premiums, which are expected to rise by as much as 66% in some states. The projected expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies, coupled with a medical cost inflation rate that surpasses general inflation, is likely to significantly increase out-of-pocket expenses. As a result, employees should proactively review their health benefits and consider strategic adjustments to mitigate the impact of these rising costs. Click here to learn more

More and more Ovintiv employees are investing in their futures through 401(k) plans. Ovintiv employees who participate in 401(k) plans assume responsibility for their retirement income by contributing part of their salary and, in many instances, by directing their own investments.

As a Ovintiv employee, if you are among those who direct your investments, you will need to consider the investment objectives, the risk and return characteristics, and the performance over time of each investment option offered by your plan. Fees and expenses are one of the factors that will affect your investment returns and will impact your retirement income. This article will outline some of the major factors that may impact the severity of fees relating to your Ovintiv 401(k) plan:

'Fees and expenses are one of the factors that will affect your investment returns and will impact your retirement income.'

Funds that are “actively managed” (i.e., funds with an investment adviser who continually researches, monitors, and actively trades the holdings of the fund to seek a higher return than the market) generally have higher fees. The higher fees are associated with the more active management provided and sales charges from the higher level of trading activity. As a Ovintiv employee, you may want to consider how while actively managed funds seek to provide higher returns than the market, neither active management nor higher fees necessarily guarantee higher returns. 

Funds that are “passively managed” generally have lower management fees. Passively managed funds seek to obtain the investment results of an established market index, such as the Standard and Poor’s 500, by duplicating the holdings included in the index. Thus, passively managed funds require little research or trading activity. For Ovintiv employees, it is worthy to account for the information when deciding who will manage your funds, and if their rates are adequate for the services provided.

If the services and investment options under your plan as a Ovintiv employee are offered through a bundled program, then some or all of the costs of plan services may not be separately charged to the plan or to your employer. For example, these costs possibly may be subsidized by the asset-based fees charged on investments. Compare the services received in light of the total fees paid.

Featured Video

Articles you may find interesting:

Plans with more total assets may be able to lower fees by using special funds or classes of stock in funds, which generally are sold to larger group investors. “Retail” or “brand name” funds, which are also marketed to individual and small group investors, tend to be listed in the newspaper daily and typically charge higher fees. As a Ovintiv employee, you should inform your employer of your preference.

Optional features, such as participant loan programs and insurance benefits offered under variable annuity contracts, involve additional costs. Consider whether they have value to you as a Ovintiv employee. If not, let your employer know.

Retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans, are group plans. For those working in Ovintiv, your employer may not be able to accommodate each employee’s preferences for investment options or additional services.