Retirement Savings Benchmarks
See how your retirement savings compare to actual Vanguard participant data
From Your Retirement Plan
These values are pulled from your retirement plan so this comparison reflects your current plan.
Your Savings Information
Use retirement account totals from your plan. Add any additional retirement savings below for a fuller comparison.
Your Comparison Results
Status is based on being within 10% of the benchmark.
Understanding Your Results
Vanguard Average: The mean balance across millions of actual participants. This number can be skewed by a few very large accounts.
Vanguard Median: The middle point - half of people have more, half have less. This is often a more realistic comparison point than the average.
Important: These benchmarks reflect employer retirement plan balances, not total net worth. Include IRAs or other retirement accounts using the optional field above.
Vanguard Actual Participant Data (2024-2025)
Real-world retirement account balances from nearly 5 million Vanguard participants:
| Age Range | Average Balance | Median Balance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 25 | $6,899 | $1,948 |
| 25-34 | $37,211 | $14,068 |
| 35-44 | $141,520 | $45,000 |
| 45-54 | $313,220 | $115,000 |
| 55-64 | $537,560 | $185,000 |
| 65+ | $299,442 | $95,425 |
Why the Median Matters More Than the Average
Notice how the average is consistently higher than the median? That's because a small number of people with very large balances pull the average up. The median gives you a better sense of what a "typical" person has saved.
Example: In the 55-64 age group, the average is $537,560, but the median is only $185,000. This means half of people in that age group have less than $185,000 saved.
How Much Should You Be Saving?
Financial experts recommend saving at least 15% of your pre-tax income every year for retirement, including any employer match. If you're behind on these benchmarks, consider:
- Increasing your 401(k) contribution by 1-2% annually
- Contributing enough to get your full employer match (free money!)
- Automating savings increases whenever you get a raise
- Taking advantage of catch-up contributions if you're 50+
Vanguard data from "How America Saves 2025" report (Vanguard, 2025)
Based on defined contribution plan participants (401k, 403b, similar plans)