Updated 2026-03-20
Empower vs Employee Fiduciary 401(k) Comparison
Compare Empower Retirement (#4, 8.7/10) and Employee Fiduciary (#24, 6.2/10) side by side across fees, ratings, features, and investment options.
Overall Comparison
| Feature | Empower | Employee Fiduciary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.7/10 | 6.2/10 |
| Rank | #4 | #24 |
| AUM | $1.4 trillion | $6 billion |
| Participants | 18 million | 80,000 |
| Plan Sponsors | 71,000+ | 3,000+ |
| Founded | 2014 | 2004 |
Ratings Comparison
| Category | Empower | Employee Fiduciary |
|---|---|---|
| Fees & Costs | 4.3/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Investment Options | 4.2/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Customer Service | 4.3/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Mobile App | 3.8/5 | 2.5/5 |
Fee Comparison
| Fee Type | Empower | Employee Fiduciary |
|---|---|---|
| Admin Fees | Varies by plan size | $1,500/year + $30/participant |
| Expense Ratios | 0.03% - 1.0% | 0.03% - 0.15% |
| Trading Fees | Plan dependent | $0 |
| Advisory Fees | 0.25% - 0.89% | Included as 3(38) fiduciary |
Empower Strengths
- Strong participant education programs
- Excellent plan sponsor tools
- Competitive institutional pricing
- Personal Capital integration for all-in-one planning
Employee Fiduciary Strengths
- Full 3(38) investment fiduciary services included
- Among the lowest all-in costs
- Consistently rated best by independent reviewers
- Low-cost Vanguard fund lineup
Rollover, Loans & Withdrawals
| Feature | Empower | Employee Fiduciary |
|---|---|---|
| Rollover Platform | Empower.com | Employee Fiduciary Portal |
| Loans Available | Yes | Yes |
| Withdrawal Methods | Online via Empower.com, Phone (800-338-4015) | Phone (877-401-5100), Online portal |
| Distribution Options | Lump sum, Partial withdrawal, Installment payments, Annuity purchase, Rollover to IRA | Lump sum, Partial withdrawal, Rollover to IRA, Required Minimum Distributions |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Empower if you want:
- Mid to large employers
- Those valuing education
- Managed account seekers
- Income-focused retirees
Choose Employee Fiduciary if you want:
- Cost-conscious small businesses
- Employers wanting fiduciary protection
- Index fund believers
- Plan sponsors seeking simplicity
Our Verdict: Empower vs Employee Fiduciary
Empower Retirement wins this comparison with a score of 8.7/10 vs 6.2/10. Empower excels with strong participant education programs, making it the stronger choice for most investors in this matchup. However, the best choice ultimately depends on your specific needs, employer plan availability, and investment preferences.
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Empower vs Employee Fiduciary: Complete 401(k) Comparison for 2026
Choosing between Empower Retirement and Employee Fiduciary for your 401(k) is an important decision that affects your retirement savings. Empower offers 2nd largest while Employee Fiduciary is known for 3(38) fiduciary. In terms of fees, Empower charges 0.03% - 1.0% expense ratios compared to Employee Fiduciary's 0.03% - 0.15%. Empower manages $1.4 trillion in assets and serves 18 million participants, while Employee Fiduciary has $6 billion AUM and 80,000 participants.
Key Differences: Empower vs Employee Fiduciary
When comparing Empower and Employee Fiduciary, consider their core strengths: Empower excels with strong participant education programs, while Employee Fiduciary stands out for full 3(38) investment fiduciary services included. Both providers offer a wide range of investment options including target-date funds, index funds, and managed accounts. Empower's customer service rating is 4.3/5 compared to Employee Fiduciary's 4.2/5. For mobile experience, Empower scores 3.8/5 while Employee Fiduciary scores 2.5/5.
Which Provider is Right for You?
Choose Empower if you prioritize mid to large employers. Choose Employee Fiduciary if you're looking for cost-conscious small businesses. Your decision should also consider your employer's plan availability, fee sensitivity, desired investment options, and customer service expectations. For detailed reviews, visit our individual Empower and Employee Fiduciary provider pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Empower Retirement scores higher in our 2026 rankings with 8.7/10. Empower is best for mid to large employers, while Employee Fiduciary is best for cost-conscious small businesses. The right choice depends on your employer's plan and your priorities.
Empower charges expense ratios of 0.03% - 1.0% with admin fees of Varies by plan size. Employee Fiduciary charges 0.03% - 0.15% expense ratios with admin fees of $1,500/year + $30/participant. Empower's fees rating is 4.3/5 compared to Employee Fiduciary's 4.8/5.
Yes, you can roll over between Empower and Employee Fiduciary. Empower uses Empower.com for rollovers, while Employee Fiduciary uses Employee Fiduciary Portal. A direct rollover avoids mandatory tax withholding. Contact your new provider to initiate the transfer.
Empower offers 401(k) loans. Employee Fiduciary offers 401(k) loans. Both providers typically allow loans up to 50% of your vested balance or $50,000, whichever is less.
Empower scores 4.2/5 for investment options, while Employee Fiduciary scores 3.2/5. Both offer target-date funds, index funds, and managed accounts. Empower's investment options include Index Funds, Target Date Funds, Mutual Funds. Employee Fiduciary offers Vanguard Index Funds, Target Date Funds, Bond Funds.
For small businesses, consider plan minimums and per-participant costs. Empower is best for mid to large employers, those valuing education, managed account seekers, income-focused retirees. Employee Fiduciary is best for cost-conscious small businesses, employers wanting fiduciary protection, index fund believers, plan sponsors seeking simplicity. Compare admin fees: Empower charges Varies by plan size vs Employee Fiduciary's $1,500/year + $30/participant.
Pavlo Pyskunov
Managing Director & Investment Fund Director
Pavlo Pyskunov analyzes employer-sponsored retirement plans using IRS publications and DOL Form 5500 filings, helping workers maximize their 401(k) savings through data-driven guidance.
Last updated: 2026-03-20