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Median 401(k) Balance by Age (2026)

$27,376
Median 401(k) balance across all participants
Summary

The median 401(k) balance is $27,376 in 2026 — roughly one-fourth the average, because high-balance accounts skew the mean upward. Median is the better gauge of what a typical American actually has saved. Half of all 401(k) participants have less than this amount.

Breakdown

Under 25$1,948
25-34$11,357
35-44$28,318
45-54$48,301
55-64$71,168
65+$70,620
Source
Vanguard How America Saves 2025· As of 2026-Q1

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All Pulsafi stats are sourced from primary government data and major financial institutions. Read the full methodology and data-sources page.