New disclosure rules and the threat of fiduciary violation lawsuitshave helped bring down investment management, recordkeeping andother fees in 401(k) and other retirement accounts. Nowrevenue-sharing is following suit.

According to a 2013 survey by Boston-based investmentconsultancy NEPC, total plan costs for sponsors declined 0.02percent from 2012 to 2013, falling to 0.53 percent. That'sequivalent to a yearly charge of $5.30 for every $1,000 invested.That figure had been 0.59 percent in 2010, so the savings are inthe many millions of dollars.

NEPC's survey also found that revenue-sharing arrangements –used to help offset, or in some cases, to pay for all plan-related expenses – beganto decline in 2010 and continued to do so in 2013. It found that 13percent of plans had no form of revenue sharing whatsoever, afigure that most expect will only grow.