Investment Fees Calculator

See how MER fees silently drain wealth over decades. Compare low-cost ETFs vs mutual funds.

Fee Comparison Details

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Results

Low-Cost Portfolio
High-Cost Portfolio
Wealth Lost to Fees
% Wealth Destroyed

Typical MER Ranges (Canada 2026)

Fund TypeTypical MER
Canadian bank mutual funds1.5% – 2.5%
Actively managed ETFs0.5% – 1.0%
Index ETFs (Vanguard, iShares)0.06% – 0.25%
All-in-one ETFs (XBAL, VGRO)0.20% – 0.24%
Robo-advisors0.40% – 0.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

MER (Management Expense Ratio) is the annual fee charged by a fund, deducted daily from the fund's NAV. You never see it as a line item on your statement — it's already reflected in the daily unit price. A 2% MER means the fund manager takes 2% of your assets annually regardless of performance.
All-in-one ETFs: VGRO (80% stocks, 0.24% MER), XGRO (80% stocks, 0.20%), VEQT (100% stocks, 0.24%). Building blocks: VFV (S&P 500, 0.09%), XIC (Canadian market, 0.06%). In USA: VTI (0.03%), VXUS (0.07%), BND (0.03%).
⚠️ MER rates change — verify current rates with fund providers. Past returns not guaranteed.