California 401(k) ERISA Lawyers

Has Your 401(k) Been Mismanaged?

You worked hard for your retirement. You deserve to know that your 401(k), pension, or other employer-sponsored plan is being managed in your best interest. If you suspect your retirement savings have been eroded by excessive fees, poor fund choices, or self-dealing by plan administrators, you may have a legal claim under federal law.

Matern Law Group has experience investigating 401(k) and pension plans for violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). We offer free and confidential consultations, and we don’t get paid unless you do.

What is ERISA?

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is a federal law that sets strict standards for how retirement and health benefit plans must be managed. It requires fiduciaries (such as your employer or plan administrator) to act solely in your best interest, provide full transparency, and avoid conflicts of interest. When they fail, you may be entitled to recover the financial losses to your account.

Signs of Retirement Plan Mismanagement

If you are currently or were recently enrolled in a 401(k) or other ERISA-covered plan, watch out for these red flags:

• Underperforming investments that consistently lag behind benchmarks
• High administrative or management fees that erode your balance
• Proprietary or self-serving fund choices that benefit plan sponsors more than you
• Lack of low-cost index or target-date funds
• “Guaranteed income” or stable value funds that fail to deliver
• Unclear or deceptive plan disclosures or fee breakdowns

Even if you don’t understand all the details, that’s okay. We can investigate on your behalf.

Do You Qualify?

You may have a claim under ERISA if:

• You’ve noticed your 401(k) or pension isn’t growing as expected
• You were steered into high-fee or poor-performing investment options
• Your employer’s plan includes opaque or proprietary fund structures
• You’re concerned your retirement savings aren’t being safeguarded

We work with employees from all industries, including healthcare, tech, retail, logistics, and finance.

Why Choose Matern Law Group?

Matern Law Group is a leading California plaintiff-side law firm with a track record of standing up to powerful corporations on behalf of workers, consumers, and investors. Our ERISA attorneys bring:

• Decades of litigation experience
• Proven results in complex class actions
• Personalized attention and compassion for every client
• A statewide presence to support clients across California

What Makes Our Approach Different?

We combine our deep employment law expertise with a strategic focus on financial justice. We pursue ERISA cases as class actions or mass actions, allowing us to fight back against systemic retirement fund abuse on behalf of groups of employees.

This aligns with our firm’s mission: to return power to the powerless. If your employer or plan manager has betrayed your trust, we’re here to help you hold them accountable.

Take the First Step Toward Accountability

Don’t wait to find out if your retirement plan has been mismanaged. These cases often have strict deadlines, and the longer you wait, the harder it may be to recover your losses.

• Free, no-obligation consultation
• No fees unless we win
• Confidential review of your 401(k) or retirement plan

Call us today or  fill out our form to speak with an experienced ERISA attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What should I do if I suspect 401(k) mismanagement?

Start by gathering your most recent account statements and any plan documents you’ve received, such as fee disclosures, investment summaries, or annual reports. Look for signs like high administrative fees, poor-performing funds, or sudden changes in your investment options. Then, contact our experienced ERISA lawyers who can review your plan and help determine whether your rights have been violated. You don’t need to have all the answers – just suspicions. We’ll investigate the rest.

How long do I have to file an ERISA claim?

The statute of limitations for ERISA claims is generally either three or six years, depending on the circumstances:

• Six years from the date of the last act of mismanagement, or

• Three years from the time you gained actual knowledge of the breach

There are exceptions, and deadlines can be complicated, so it’s crucial to act quickly. If you’re unsure whether you’re still within the time limit, we can help assess your case during a free consultation.

Can I sue my employer for poor fund performance?

Yes, but only if the poor performance results from a breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA. For example, if your employer or plan manager selected high-fee or self-serving funds that consistently underperform the market, or failed to monitor plan investments appropriately, you may have a valid claim. ERISA doesn’t guarantee great investment returns – but it does require plan fiduciaries to act prudently, loyally, and exclusively in your best interest.