Americans' retirement accounts have never looked healthier on paper. But beneath the record balances a growing number of workers are dipping into their savings to cover financial pressures today.
Average 401(k) and individual retirement account balances climbed to all-time highs in the second quarter of 2026, according to new data from Fidelity Investments, the nation's largest provider of 401(k) plans. The average 401(k) balance reached $155,800, an increase of 13.1% from a year earlier. IRA balances rose 10% over the same period to a record $144,523.
