401(k) Balances Reach Record Highs in Q4 2024 | Fidelity Analysis

Balances for 401(k) retirement accounts hit the "second-highest average on record" in the final quarter of 2024, according to new data from Fidelity Investments. 

The financial services company found in its newly-released fourth-quarter retirement analysis that balances for that type of retirement plan averaged $131,700. 

That figure marked a jump of 11% year-over-year, according to Fidelity.

Close up of a 401(k) statement with a pie chart indicating asset allocation. (iStock / iStock)

Compared to 2024’s third quarter, however, average balances for 401(k)s posted a 0.5% decline, the analysis showed. The third quarter was when 401(k) plans notched their "highest average on record" for balances, with an average of $132,300. 

The rate at which 401(k) retirement plan holders socked away money inched up year-over-year to 14.1% in the fourth quarter, according to Fidelity. 

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Similar to 401(k)s, average balances for two other popular retirement vehicles — IRAs and 403(b)s — saw small declines of 1% from the third quarter but showed year-over-year increases. 

Fidelity pegged the average balance for 403(b) accounts at $117,800 in the fourth quarter, up 11% compared to a year ago. 

Meanwhile, IRA accounts held average balances of $127,543. That’s an increase of 8% from the fourth quarter of 2023, according to the report. 

A senior couple uses a laptop to help organize their retirement plans. (iStock)

Fidelity’s fourth-quarter analysis included over 50 million retirement accounts. 

Overall, the financial services company said people building nest eggs "experienced a year of positive growth" in 2024.

Retirement contribution rates went up for almost 40% of those saving for their golden years, Fidelity also reported. On average, the increase was 2.9%.

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"As we have for several quarters now, we observed upwards savings trends in Q4. This is encouraging news and is particularly important for many Gen X savers, who are able to make catch-up contributions," Head of Fidelity Wealth Roger Stiles said in a statement. "This is an important consideration as the April tax deadline approaches where investors may be able to contribute to an IRA for potential tax deductions for 2024." 

The deadline for individual tax return filing is April 15, according to the IRS.

Fidelity also highlighted the retirement saving efforts of Generation X — people born between 1965 and 1980 — in its latest analysis.

When it came to IRAs, Gen Xers boosted their average contributions 16% year-over-year, according to the financial services company.

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Meanwhile, Gen Xers that have been putting money in 401(k) accounts regularly over 15 years achieved average account balances of $589,400, a jump of 18% from the same period last year, per Fidelity.

A person puts money into a retirement savings jar. (iStock / iStock)

Americans think $1.46 million is the amount of money necessary to experience a comfortable retirement, according to a study released by Northwestern Mutual last year. 

The Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies found in an August 2024 report that the median age of retirement for middle-class retirees was 62.