Advice | More workers entered 401(k) millionaires club as stock market surged (2024)

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Advice | More workers entered 401(k) millionaires club as stock market surged? ›

A surge in the stock market has thrust more retirement investors into the millionaires club. Data released Tuesday by Fidelity Investments found that the number of employees with 401(k) balances over $1 million rose 41 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with the same period a year earlier.

The amount of retirement millionaires continues to grow, too: As of March 2024, the number of 401(k) accounts with balances of at least $1 million rose to 885,138, up nearly 12%, from year-end 2023, and nearly 30% year over year. The average account balance for this group was $1,137,409 as of March 2024.

Most people never make it to that milestone. Only the top 3.3% of retirement savers had accumulated over $1 million across their accounts as of the end of the last decade, according to estimates from the Employee Benefit Research Institute, based on the latest Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances.

The only time when the ranks of 401(k) millionaires at Fidelity was higher was in 2021's fourth quarter, when there were 442,000 such accounts. Elsewhere, the number of seven-figure IRAs is at a record 391,600 accounts. The average age of 401(k) millionaires at Fidelity skews older at around 59.

Prioritizing other financial goals and saving strategies ahead of maxing out your 401(k) is often a good decision. While some high-income workers should think about reducing their tax bill today to fund their retirement, not everyone should feel like they must contribute the highest amount possible to a 401(k).

It is 100% possible to retire with $400,000, provided you're not looking to enjoy a particularly expensive retirement lifestyle or hoping to leave the workforce notably early.

The Federal Reserve also measures median and mean (average) savings across other types of financial assets. According to the data, the average 70-year-old has approximately: $60,000 in transaction accounts (including checking and savings) $127,000 in certificate of deposit (CD) accounts.

Specifically, those with over $1 million in retirement accounts are in the top 3% of retirees. The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) estimates that 3.2% of retirees have over $1 million, and a mere 0.1% have $5 million or more, based on data from the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances.

Putting that much aside could make it easier to live your preferred lifestyle when you retire, without having to worry about running short of money. However, not a huge percentage of retirees end up having that much money. In fact, statistically, around 10% of retirees have $1 million or more in savings.

According to EBRI estimates based on the latest Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, 3.2% of retirees have over $1 million in their retirement accounts, while just 0.1% have $5 million or more.

Can I retire at 62 with $400,000 in 401k? ›

You can retire a little early on $400,000, but it won't be easy. If you have the option of working and saving for a few more years, it will give you a significantly more comfortable retirement.

You can probably retire at 55 if you have $4 million in savings. This amount, according to conventional estimates, can reliably produce enough income to pay for a comfortable retirement.

Yes, you can. As long as you live strictly within your means and assuming certain considerations, such as no significant unexpected costs and no outstanding debts.

Certain strategies, such as continuing to contribute to retirement accounts, can reduce the higher taxable income for someone older than 73. Depending on specific circ*mstances, workers over age 73 can still contribute to an IRA, a 401(k), and other retirement accounts.

If you're already on track to save enough for retirement, it won't make sense for you to continue to maximize your 401(k) savings. You can use any extra money for other priorities, such as volunteering or taking more time off work to spend with family.

There are 21,951,000 people/households with a net worth of or above $1 million in the USA. There are 1,456,000 people/households with a net worth of or above $10 million in the USA. There are 9,630 people/households with a net worth of or above $100 million in the USA.

The number of American households with assets of one million U.S. dollars or more has been steadily increasing in the over the last decade. About 6.98 million individuals in North America had financial assets worth at least one million U.S. dollars in 2020, which was an increase of 2.67 million in comparison to 2008.

14% of Americans Have $100,000 Saved for Retirement

Most Americans are not saving enough for retirement. According to the survey, only 14% of Americans have $100,000 or more saved in their retirement accounts. In fact, about 78% of Americans have $50,000 or less saved for retirement.

In the U.S., it may take you $5.81 million to be in the top 1%, but it takes a minimum net worth of $30 million to be considered among the ultra-high net worth crowd. As of the end of 2023, this ultra-high net worth population is on the rise, reaching 626,000 globally, up from just over 600,000 a year earlier.