What is a MER (Management Expense Ratio)?

The MER is the annual percentage deducted from your investment to cover the fund's management and operating expenses.

Why does a small fee difference have such a big impact?

Fees are charged annually on the entire portfolio. Over 25 years, a 1.5% fee difference can represent more than 30% of your final portfolio.

The MER is displayed on each ETF's page on our site, in the Summary section.

No. There are also bid-ask spreads and brokerage commissions, but the MER is the most significant long-term cost.

Compare how management fees affect your investments over time.

1 Your parameters

Your ETF (optional — prefills the fees)

How much have you already invested?

How much do you add each year?

Expected annual return (before fees)

Annual fund fees (MER)

For how many years?

years

2 Results

2026 data

With 2.00% fees over 25 years, you'll accumulate 284,431 $, which is 108,226 $ less than with no fees at all.

284,431 $

With 2.00% fees

392,657 $

No fees

Calculations are estimates. Actual returns vary. Management expense ratios (MER) include operating expenses and applicable taxes.