Retirement savings averages for workers under 35

Data from major retirement plan administrators Vanguard and Fidelity reveal the average 401(k) balances for workers under the age of 35.

Vanguard’s ‘How America Saves’ report indicates that by the end of 2025, the average participant under 25 had $7,259 in their account, while the average for those aged 25 to 34 was $50,261. However, Vanguard noted that median values—which are less affected by extreme outliers—were significantly lower, at $2,234 for the under-25 group and $18,732 for the 25-to-34 age group.

Fidelity reported similar trends, noting that typical 20-to-24-year-olds held $7,700 in their 401(k) accounts as of late March. For the 30-to-34 age bracket, the average was $51,700, while participants aged 25 to 29 averaged $26,600.