Figures as of Q2 2026 · Page updated October 12, 2026
How does your 401(k) stack up? These are the latest national averages from Fidelity Investments — one of the largest 401(k) recordkeepers in the U.S. — covering 26,800 employer plans and 25.6 million participants.
| Age group | Average 401(k) balance |
|---|---|
| 20–24 | $7,700 |
| 25–29 | $26,600 |
| 30–34 | $51,700 |
| 35–39 | $81,600 |
| 40–44 | $120,100 |
| 45–49 | $163,200 |
| 50–54 | $215,700 |
| 55–59 | $260,800 |
| 60–64 | $257,400 |
| 65–69 | $258,800 |
These are averages, not medians. A relatively small number of very high earners with very large balances pulls the average upward. The typical (median) saver has less than these figures suggest — so if your balance looks low next to the average, you're in larger company than it feels like.
The average is the wrong benchmark anyway. Comparing yourself to strangers tells you where you rank, not whether you are on track. Fidelity's own guideline is expressed as a multiple of your salary, which adjusts for your income automatically: aim for 1× your salary saved by 30, 3× by 40, 6× by 50, and 8× by 60.
The overall picture improved. The average 401(k) balance across all ages hit a record $155,800 in Q2 2026, and the combined savings rate (employee + employer) held at 14.4% — close to Fidelity's suggested 15%.
| Generation | Average 401(k) balance |
|---|---|
| Baby Boomers | $283,200 |
| Gen X | $240,700 |
| Millennials | $94,300 |
| Gen Z | $20,800 |
The gap mostly reflects time in the workforce — but younger savers are starting earlier: 19.3% of participants contributed to a Roth 401(k) in Q2 2026, up from 17.1% a year earlier.
If you're behind your age band, the two levers that matter most are your contribution rate and capturing the full employer match. Run your own numbers — including the match — with our 401(k) calculator to see what catching up looks like.
Source: Fidelity Investments Q2 2026 401(k) data (26,800 corporate defined-contribution plans, 25.6 million participants). See also Investopedia's coverage of the release. Balances reflect 401(k) accounts at Fidelity only — not IRAs, pensions, or other savings.
Plug in your age, salary, and contribution rate to see where you're headed — and what closing the gap takes.
Open the calculator →