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AI just roasted your retirement plan
I set up my 401(k) back when I worked for AT&T and truly never looked at it again. I picked a few funds and stocks, hoped for the best and trusted that everything was on track. It worked out for me. But now?
With AI peeking over my financial shoulder like a nosy aunt, I’m in deep. I’m dissecting my holdings, side-eyeing expense ratios and even questioning my financial adviser like I suddenly have a CFA.
You might not have the best mix of investments, and sneaky fees could be quietly draining your money. Do what I do. Use AI to get a second opinion, safely and easily.
Step 1: Grab the basics
Log in to your 401(k) or brokerage account and save in a doc. Tip in a tip: In Chrome, put doc.new in the address bar to start a new Google doc.
In there put:
- The names or ticker symbols of your investments
- The percentage you have in each fund
- Any listed fees or “expense ratios”
That’s all you need. Never share account numbers, dollar amounts tied to your name or login info. AI doesn’t need them.
Step 2: Ask AI what it thinks
Head to ChatGPT (or your favorite AI assistant) and type something like: “Here are the funds in my 401(k). Does this look like a good mix for someone who’s 50 years old?”
You’ll get a plain-English breakdown of your risk level, diversification and what your investments actually do.
Step 3: Look for sneaky fees
Fees are a silent killer. Ask AI: “What are the expense ratios for these funds, and how much would they cost me over 10 years on $100,000 invested?”
AI will show how those “small” fees can cost you tens of thousands over time.
Step 4: Double-check advice
If your financial adviser recommends a change, paste in the suggestion (without your personal info): “My adviser recommends switching to [fund name]. What are the pros and cons of that fund?”
AI won’t tell you what to do, but it will help you ask better questions.
🙉 Two dos and one don’t
✅ It’s OK to give AI a rough investment amount (like $100,000). It helps estimate fees and growth.
❌ Don’t give your account number, login info or personal details.
✅ Ask AI to explain complex terms (like “expense ratio” or “target-date fund”) in plain English.
🤑 I know you know some person who thinks a 401(k) is something too far for them to run. Use the share icons below, and maybe when they cash out, you’ll get a cut! Sweet.
Tags: ChatGPT, financial, money, numbers, personal info
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