Strong 2025 Markets Push Average 401(k) to Record $167,970

On May 30 2026 Vanguard released its How America Saves 2026 preview showing 401(k) balances hit an all-time high after the robust equity market of 2025. Average balances climbed 13 percent year-over-year to $167,970 while the median stood at just $44,115, underscoring concentration of gains among higher-balance accounts. The report credits broad market advances with lifting retirement savings yet warns many typical savers still lag and urges participants to claim employer matches, raise contribution rates, and shift from high-fee target-date funds into low-cost index options.