Median 401(k) balance of $44,115 suggests most savers lag behind the average due to a small group of high contributors.
The average 401(k) balance reached a record $167,970 at the end of 2025, up 13% from 2024, driven by strong stock market performance. However, the median balance stood at just $44,115, highlighting a significant gap between typical savers and high contributors.
The disparity between the average and median balances indicates that a small subset of participants holds substantially larger accounts, skewing the overall average upward. The data, previewed from Vanguard’s upcoming *How America Saves* report, reflects broader trends in retirement savings but lacks age-specific breakdowns.
Full details, including age-based averages, will be released in the complete report later this year.