Management Expense Ratio (MER)
MER is the annual fee charged by a fund, shown as a percentage of your invested balance.
Why this matters
Small fee differences can meaningfully reduce long-term returns, especially over decades.
Simple example
If two funds return the same before fees, the one with a 0.20% MER usually leaves you with more than one with a 1.50% MER over time.
Common mistakes
- Looking only at past performance and ignoring ongoing costs.
- Assuming high fees always mean better management.
- Comparing funds with very different objectives as if fees were the only factor.