2026 IRS limit: $24,500 · 50+: $32,500 · 60–63: $35,750

Average 401k Balance by Age

Updated August 2026 — Vanguard How America Saves 2026 data.

How does your 401(k) stack up? Enter your age and balance to compare against the typical saver your age — and against the salary-multiple benchmarks for being “on track.”

Median 401(k) balance for your age
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Median (your age)
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Average (your age)
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Your balance
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Vs. median
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Average and median 401(k) balance by age

Vanguard’s How America Saves 2026 report tracks 4.6 million accounts. Average balances rise from about $7,300 under 25 to $330,200 at 65+, but averages are skewed by large accounts — the median, the middle saver, is far lower and a better yardstick for most people.

AgeAverage balanceMedian balance
Under 25$7,259$2,234
25–34$50,261$18,732
35–44$120,742$46,919
45–54$214,991$78,730
55–64$305,006$107,269
65+$330,186$103,202

Source: Vanguard, How America Saves 2026 (data through December 31, 2025).

How much should you have by age?

Comparing to other savers tells you where you stand; it doesn’t tell you if you’re on track. For that, a common rule of thumb ties your target to your salary: about 1× by 30, 3× by 40, 6× by 50, 8× by 60, and 10× by 67 — a rough path to replacing your income in retirement.

AgeTarget (× salary)At a $70,000 salary
301×$70,000
403×$210,000
506×$420,000
608×$560,000
6710×$700,000

Notice the gap between these targets and the median balances above: by most benchmarks, the typical saver is behind. That’s not a reason to panic — it’s a reason to focus on the two levers that move the needle fastest.

How to catch up

  • Raise your savings rate. Even a one- or two-point bump, escalated a little each year, compounds enormously over a career. See the effect on the main 401k calculator.
  • Capture the full employer match first — it’s an instant return no market can promise.
  • Use catch-up contributions. At 50+ you can add $8,000 in 2026 ($11,250 for ages 60–63), on top of the $24,500 base limit.
  • Mind fees and keep it invested — an early withdrawal or cashing out at a job change is the most common way savers fall behind.

401(k) balance by age — FAQ

What is the average 401(k) balance by age?
Per Vanguard 2026: about $7,300 under 25, $50,300 for 25–34, $120,700 for 35–44, $215,000 for 45–54, $305,000 for 55–64, and $330,200 for 65+. Averages run high because large accounts skew them.
What is the median 401(k) balance by age?
Roughly $2,200 under 25, $18,700 for 25–34, $46,900 for 35–44, $78,700 for 45–54, $107,300 for 55–64, and $103,200 for 65+. The median is the better yardstick for a typical saver.
How much should I have in my 401(k) by age?
A common benchmark: about 1× salary by 30, 3× by 40, 6× by 50, 8× by 60, and 10× by 67. Guideposts, not rules — your target depends on your retirement age and other savings.
Why is the average so much higher than the median?
A small number of very large accounts pull the average up. Vanguard notes the average sits near the 75th percentile, so most savers hold less than the average — making the median more representative.