Retirement Retirement Planning

15 Signs Your Retirement Savings Puts You in a Better Position Than the Average American

Clear benchmarks and up-to-date data can help you see whether your retirement savings put you ahead of the average American.

By Kristin Hitchcock

Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Dec. 31, 2025

Most people worry silently about whether their retirement plan is "good enough." You're not alone, but there are measurable checkpoints that help you see how your retirement savings stack up against your peers.

Here are the most reliable indicators that your retirement plan could be stronger than average.

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You have any retirement savings at all

Surprisingly, nearly a third of Americans have no retirement savings (401(k), IRA, or otherwise). Having even a modest retirement account already places you ahead of many. If your balance is more than $0, you're already better positioned than a large share of Americans who haven't started.

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Your retirement savings exceed the median

The median retirement savings figures help show a more typical saver than averages (which get skewed by high balances). For many age groups, median balances are quite modest, far below what people often think they need

If your total savings are above this midpoint for your age, you're already ahead of the "middle" saver.

You're hitting age-based 401(k) averages

Fidelity and industry data show average 401(k) balances rising across many age ranges, though they vary widely:

Baby Boomers: $249,300
Gen X: $192,300
Millennials: $67,300
Gen Z: $13,500

If your own 401(k) balance matches or exceeds the typical average for your generation or age bracket, you're likely in a stronger savings position than many peers (especially considering many people are far below the average).

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Your savings rate is close to or above 15%

Financial advisors often cite a 15% combined savings rate (employee + employer) as a healthy target. In 2025, many savers are nearing this benchmark, with average contribution rates around 4.7%.

If you're contributing in this range, you're keeping pace with disciplined savers and ahead of many who save far less.

You have an employer match and capture it

An employer match is essentially free money. If you're contributing at least enough to get the full match, you're automatically in a better position than those leaving that benefit on the table.

You're on track with Fidelity's income multiples

Fidelity's guidelines suggest rough milestones like:

1x salary by age 30
3x by 40
6x by 50
8x by 60

If your savings approximate these multiples of your income, you're trending healthier than the typical saver.

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You've benefited from catch-up contributions

Once you hit 50, you're allowed to save more. In 2026, it could be up to $8,000 extra annually with catch-up provisions included. Maximizing this shows commitment and often correlates with larger balances.

You've saved more than the record mid-range numbers

Some data from 2025 show that the average 401(k) plan balances across all ages climbed to about $335,105+. If your retirement accounts exceed this level, you're above the broad national average.

You have multiple retirement accounts

Having more than one type of retirement vehicle (e.g., 401(k) and IRA) can help diversify tax treatment and increase total savings. Savers that diversify tend to accumulate more overall than those relying on a single account.

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You've avoided early withdrawal

Early takes, especially before age 59½, often signal financial stress and reduce compounding growth. If you've kept your savings intact, your long-term growth potential is higher than that of many who've withdrawn early.

You invest aggressively early, then rebalance

Savvy savers often increase contributions early in their careers and rebalance over time to manage risk. This behavior typically leads to higher cumulative balances versus sporadic savers.

You've automated savings increases over time

Increasing your contribution percentage every year, even by 1–2%, often leads to better balances than flat-rate savers. Automation helps stick to saving goals.

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You delay Social Security strategically

Delaying Social Security benefits (when feasible) can increase monthly payouts in retirement. If you're factoring this into your plan, you may have a more resilient retirement income than average.

You have an estate or legacy plan in place

Many average savers neglect wills, beneficiary designations, or trusts. Having these set up shows a level of planning sophistication that tends to correlate with better financial outcomes.

You review and adjust your plan annually

Retirement planning isn't "set it and forget it." Those who evaluate progress annually (and adjust savings, investment allocation, or retirement age assumptions) usually stay ahead of static savers.

Bottom line

If your retirement savings meet or exceed common age-based benchmarks, you're capturing employer matches, and you're steadily increasing contributions, you're likely in a stronger position than many Americans. Regular check-ins and small adjustments over time can make a meaningful difference in how well you've prepared for retirement.

Recent surveys show that many workers are considering phased retirement, part-time work, or gradual transitions as realistic parts of their retirement strategy, not just hitting a single savings number. That shift reinforces why having a thoughtful retirement plan, rather than a single "magic number," often puts savers in a better long-term position.

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