The average 401(k) balance climbed to a record $155,800 in the second quarter of 2026, up 10.5% from the previous quarter and 13.1% from a year earlier, according to Fidelity Investments’ Q2 2026 Building Financial Futures<\/a> report.<\/p>\n “After a slight drop in the first quarter of 2026, the average 401(k) and 403(b) account balances rebounded to record levels in Q2 2026,” the report noted.<\/p>\n Jade Warshaw, co-host of “The Ramsey Show,” told FOX Business that the gains reflect years of strong market performance, increased participation from younger workers and a growing desire among Americans to build financial security amid ongoing economic uncertainty.<\/p>\n AMERICANS\u2019 401(K) BALANCES HIT RECORD LEVELS IN 2025<\/a><\/p>\n The average 401(k) balance climbed to $155,800 in the second quarter of 2026, up 10.5% from the previous quarter and 13.1% from a year earlier. (iStock)<\/p>\n “I think it’s a combination,” she said. “\u2026 I’ve seen a trend with Gen Z, who is really investing<\/a> more.”<\/p>\n Heightened economic uncertainty<\/a> has played a role, prompting some Americans to focus on the aspects of their finances that they can control, according to Warshaw.<\/p>\n “Depending on the generation that we’re talking about and whose account we’re talking about, different things are driving it,” Warshaw said. “I think right now, there’s just a want and a need for security.”<\/p>\n She added, “You can look at the worldview, and it can just feel a little bit anxiety-ridden, and a lot of us find peace in controlling a controllable.”<\/p>\n MOST 401(K) SAVERS MAY BE SHORT-CHANGING THEMSELVES, DATA SHOWS<\/a><\/p>\n Warshaw also credited years of strong market returns with encouraging more workers to continue investing. (iStock)<\/p>\n Warshaw also credited years of strong market gains with encouraging more workers<\/a> to continue investing.<\/p>\n “I think a lot of people are wanting to capitalize on that,” she said.<\/p>\n However, Warshaw cautioned against prioritizing retirement investing before building a financial foundation.\u00a0<\/p>\n She encouraged Americans to follow Ramsey Solutions’ “7 Baby Steps,” beginning with a $1,000 emergency fund, paying off consumer debt and building three to six months of living expenses before investing 15% of gross income for retirement.<\/p>\n For workers whose retirement accounts have reached record balances, Warshaw said the biggest mistake is trying to outsmart the market<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/retirement-planning-1.jpg\")
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