Retirement millionaires hit record, Fidelity says

Retirement millionaires hit record, Fidelity says
The increase in the number of millionaires reflects both higher savings rates and the market's rally
FEB 13, 2020

The bull market is minting plenty of millionaires — at least when it comes to retirement accounts.

The number of people with $1 million or more in their 401(k) or individual retirement account on the Fidelity Investments platform reached record levels last quarter, fueled by higher savings rates along with market appreciation, the fund company said in a report Thursday.

Some 233,000 savers held seven-figure 401(k)s as of Dec. 31, up about 17% from the prior quarter. Among IRA holders, 208,000 people made the club, a 14% increase. Investor savings rates have been trending higher in part because employers are automatically increasing their contributions.

Fidelity said the average 401(k) account balance at the end of last year was $112,300, which is also a record high and up 7% from the third-quarter balance of $105,200. The average balance in individual retirement accounts hit a record $115,400, up 5% from the third quarter.

Latest News

Cerulli: Advisors struggle to turn 401(k) savers into wealth clients
Cerulli: Advisors struggle to turn 401(k) savers into wealth clients

Just over 10% of advisors' wealth clients come from defined contribution plans, as capacity, data and technology gaps block the bridge to wealth

Alto to buy Forge Trust from Schwab in self-directed IRA push
Alto to buy Forge Trust from Schwab in self-directed IRA push

Deal creates a $20B-plus custody platform for private market investing in IRAs, months after Schwab closed its Forge Global purchase

Wall Street bonanza! The Street on track to hit a record $90 billion in profits: Report
Wall Street bonanza! The Street on track to hit a record $90 billion in profits: Report

Despite the good times, advisors should tread carefully, said one veteran industry executive.

Aspen Standard Wealth buys $1B Louisiana RIA Cullen Investment Group
Aspen Standard Wealth buys $1B Louisiana RIA Cullen Investment Group

Cullen marks the fourth firm the New York-based RIA aggregator has bought in 2026 as deal volume heads for a record year.

Strategy before technology: Establishing the foundation for measurable AI value
Strategy before technology: Establishing the foundation for measurable AI value

The quality of AI ROI measurement depends on pre-deployment decisions around business outcomes, leadership alignment, and establishing trusted information, among other factors.

SPONSORED Built on insurance experience to deliver on long-term promises

Knighthead Life entered the market with a competitive MYGA. A strong launch earned advisor confidence and paved the way for FIAs.

SPONSORED In the Age of AI, Trust Becomes the Advisor's Greatest Asset

As AI makes financial information more accessible than ever, Lana Hock explains why human judgment, trust, and empathy remain the qualities clients value most in a financial advisor