Fidelity Investments said the average Fidelity IRA balance climbed to a record $155,800 in the second quarter of 2026. The jump came after a slight drop in the first quarter of 2026, and it left Americans with 401(k) and 403(b) accounts at record levels.
Fidelity Investments Q2 2026
The average 401(k) balance rose 10.5% from the previous quarter and 13.1% from a year earlier. Fidelity Investments' Q2 2026 Building Financial Futures report said, "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 points to more than one force behind the increase. Jade Warshaw, co-host of The Ramsey Show, said, "I think it's a combination," and added, "Depending on the generation that we're talking about and whose account we're talking about, different things are driving it," in an interview with FOX Business.
Jade Warshaw on Gen Z
Warshaw said, "… I've seen a trend with Gen Z, who is really investing more." She also said, "I think right now, there's just a want and a need for security," and, "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."
Her comments suggest the record balance is not coming from one type of saver alone. Fidelity Investments tied the gains to years of strong market performance, increased participation from younger workers, and a growing desire for financial security amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
Building Financial Futures
Warshaw also cautioned against putting retirement contributions ahead of basic financial stability. For readers weighing their own savings, that means the order matters: build a financial foundation first, then keep retirement investing going as part of a broader plan.
What the report does not separate is how much of the record average came from market gains and how much came from new contributions. That split matters for anyone trying to judge whether the higher balance reflects stronger savings habits, better market performance, or both.
