Number of 401(k) ‘millionaires’ jumped 41% last year, says Fidelity | CNN Business (2024)

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Many more new 401(k) “millionaires” were created last year, but the overall number remains low, according to data released Tuesday.

Thanks to strong performances in stocks and bonds in 2023, coupled with steady savings rates and employer-provided matching contributions, 401(k) investors ended 2023 very much in the black.

That’s according to new fourth-quarter data from Fidelity Investments, one of the largest providers of workplace retirement plans that cover23 million 401(k) participants.

The average 401(k) balance rose to $118,600 at the end of the fourth quarter, up 14% for the year.

Among Gen Xers, the demographic cohort that will start retiring over the next decade, Fidelity found that the average 401(k) balance topped $500,000 among those who have been saving for at least 15 years consecutively.

Fidelity also reported that the number of 401(k) accounts with balances of at least $1 million rose in the fourth quarter by 20%, to 422,000 accounts; and by 41% for the whole year. The average account balance for this group was $1,551,300 in the fourth quarter.

But market performance isn’t the only factor to credit for higher balances. Actual savings habits played a big role. Fidelity said that 27% of plan participants proactively increased their contribution rate throughout last year. And 78% of 401(k) savers were contributing at a rate high enough to get their employer’s full matching contribution.

Between employee and employer contributions, the average savings rate last year was 13.9%, up slightly from 13.7% a year earlier.

“This past year ended on a high note for retirement savers,” said Sharon Brovelli, president of Workplace Investing at Fidelity Investments. “When it comes to matters like market stability and economic events, 2023 gave us the highs of the highs, and the lows of the lows but, encouragingly, many retirement savers took the long view and stayed the course through it all, which is the type of commitment that can lead to a secure financial future.”

But a large swath of the working population in the United States isn’t benefiting from the good news in 401(k) plans. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported last year that while 73% of civilian workers had access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan, only 56% participated in them.

Number of 401(k) ‘millionaires’ jumped 41% last year, says Fidelity | CNN Business (2024)

FAQs

Number of 401(k) ‘millionaires’ jumped 41% last year, says Fidelity | CNN Business? ›

Fidelity also reported that the number of 401(k) accounts with balances of at least $1 million rose in the fourth quarter by 20%, to 422,000 accounts; and by 41% for the whole year. The average account balance for this group was $1,551,300 in the fourth quarter.

How many millionaires use Fidelity? ›

The universe of 401(k) accounts with balances of $1 million or more at Fidelity Investments rose to a record 485,000 in the first quarter, according to the company. With stocks surging, the number of retirement account millionaires jumped 15% from the prior quarter and 43% since March 2023.

How many millionaires are soaring in 401k? ›

The number of 401(k) millionaires surged 43% from a year ago, boosted by market gains and steady contributions. But those millionaire success stories were an average of 26 years in the making, according to Fidelity Investments. The first quarter had 485,000 401(k)-created millionaires.

How many Americans have $1,000,000 in their 401k? ›

(TND) — A record number of people have reached $1 million in their 401(k) retirement accounts, according to Fidelity Investments. A Fidelity spokesperson Tuesday said they counted 485,000 such accounts as of the first quarter of the year, up 15% from the previous quarter and up 43% from a year ago.

What is the average age of 401k millionaires? ›

The average age of 401(k) millionaires at Fidelity skews older at around 59. However, Gen Xers also hit a nice milestone in the last few months of 2023. Those who have had the same 401(k) plan for 15 straight years saw average balances hit $501,000.

What does Fidelity consider high net worth? ›

Relatively few embrace working with multiple advisors (13%) or any individual advisor managing other advisors (quarterback approach, 5%). those with $1 million to $5 million in investable, non-retirement assets, and ultra-high-net-worth are investors with over $5 million in investable assets.

How many people have 500k in 401k? ›

How much do people save for retirement? In 2022, about 46% of households reported any savings in retirement accounts. Twenty-six percent had saved more than $100,000, and 9% had more than $500,000. These percentages were only somewhat higher for older people.

What is the average 401k balance at age 65? ›

Average and median 401(k) balances by age
Age rangeAverage balanceMedian balance
35-44$76,354$28,318
45-54$142,069$48,301
55-64$207,874$71,168
65+$232,710$70,620
2 more rows
Mar 13, 2024

What is the average 401k balance at Fidelity? ›

The financial services firm handles more than 45 million retirement accounts total. The average 401(k) balance ended 2023 up 14% from a year earlier to $118,600, Fidelity found. The average individual retirement account balance also gained 12% year over year to $116,600 in the fourth quarter of 2023.

What percentage of retirees have $3 million dollars? ›

Specifically, those with over $1 million in retirement accounts are in the top 3% of retirees. The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) estimates that 3.2% of retirees have over $1 million, and a mere 0.1% have $5 million or more, based on data from the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances.

Is $400,000 enough to retire at 65? ›

You can retire a little early on $400,000, but it won't be easy. If you have the option of working and saving for a few more years, it will give you a significantly more comfortable retirement.

What is a high net worth in retirement? ›

What is Considered a High Net Worth in Retirement? A high-net-worth individual or HNWI is generally anyone with at least $1 million in cash or assets that can be easily converted into cash, including stocks, bonds, mutual fund shares and other investments.

What is the net worth of the top 1 percent? ›

In the U.S., it may take you $5.81 million to be in the top 1%, but it takes a minimum net worth of $30 million to be considered among the ultra-high net worth crowd. As of the end of 2023, this ultra-high net worth population is on the rise, reaching 626,000 globally, up from just over 600,000 a year earlier.

At what age should you have 100k in your 401k? ›

“By the time you hit 33 years old, you should have $100,000 saved somewhere,” he said, urging viewers that they can accomplish this goal. “Save 20 percent of your paycheck and let the market grow at 5% to 7% per year,” O'Leary said in the video.

How much is considered rich in retirement? ›

To be considered wealthy at age 65 or older, you need a household net worth of $3.2 million, according to finance expert Geoffrey Schmidt, CPA, who used data from the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) to determine the household net worth needed at age 65 or older to determine the various percentiles of wealth in ...

How much should a 55 year old have in a 401k? ›

Savings Benchmarks by Age—As a Multiple of Income
Investor's AgeSavings Benchmarks
503.5x to 6x salary saved today
554.5x to 8x salary saved today
606x to 11x salary saved today
657.5x to 13.5x salary saved today
4 more rows
Mar 28, 2024

What brokerage do most millionaires use? ›

Best Brokers for High Net Worth Individuals
  • Charles Schwab - Best for high net worth investors.
  • Merrill Edge - Best rewards program.
  • Fidelity - Best overall online broker.
  • Interactive Brokers - Great overall, best for professionals.
  • E*TRADE - Best web-based platform.
Mar 28, 2024

How many people use Fidelity Investments? ›

**Individual investors total includes 44.2 million customers who have direct relationships with Fidelity through retail, workplace, and the Health Care Group and 5.6 million customers who have indirect relationships, including customers served by advisors who have clearing and custody relationships with Fidelity ...

What is the average account size at Fidelity? ›

The financial services firm handles more than 45 million retirement accounts total. The average 401(k) balance ended 2023 up 14% from a year earlier to $118,600, Fidelity found. The average individual retirement account balance also gained 12% year over year to $116,600 in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Who owns most of Fidelity? ›

Fidelity Investments is owned by privately held FMR LLC, which is controlled by the Johnson family. The family, along with a small group of FMR employees and shareholders, are also investors in F-Prime Capital, the private venture capital arm.

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