Fidelity Investments® reported in its Q4 2025 retirement analysis that 401(k) and 403(b) account balances experienced double-digit growth for the third consecutive year.
Go deeper: Fidelity attributed the growth to stock market gains and strong 401(k) savings levels.
In recognition of Women’s History Month, Fidelity spotlighted the meaningful strides female savers are making in building their retirement savings.
- The average 401(k) balance among women has grown 22 percent over the past five years, compared to 20 percent among savers overall.
- Women who have been in their 401(k) for 15 years continuously had an average balance of $508,700 at the end of 2025, up from $453,500 a year prior.
By the numbers: For the 5.5 million Fidelity clients who have been in their 401(k) plan with the same employer for five years straight, the average 401(k) balance increased to $304,200 at the end of 2025, a 16 percent increase from the end of 2024.
The last quarter also saw positive retirement savings behaviors across generations. Gen X workers, for instance, are on average maintaining a total savings rate above Fidelity’s suggested 15 percent, which Fidelity says is a promising trend as this generation approaches retirement age.
