This Is the Average 401(k) Balance for Retirees Age 72 and Older
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The number is probably not what you'd have expected.If you're wondering how you compare to others in regard to your 401(k) account savings, especially if you're in your 70s and about to retire or are already in retirement, look to companies that manage many thousands or millions of retirement accounts. They're able to share some interesting numbers. For example, Empower noted that as of October 2025, the average 401(k) balance across all age cohorts was $326,459. But that's covering a broad range of people -- those decades from retirement and those facing it shortly. Image source: Getty Images. Here, then, are numbers for seven age groupings: Age Average 401(k) Median 401(k) 20s $107,171 $40,050 30s $211,257 $81,441 40s $419,948 $164,580 50s $635,320 $253,454 60s $577,454 $186,902 70s $425,589 $92,225 80s $418,911 $78,534 Data source: Empower.com. You probably know what an average is -- you add up all the numbers and divide by the number of numbers. A median number, though, is the middle number in a series of numbers arranged in order. So if your series is 20, 45, 48, 52, 145, the average of those numbers is 62 -- but the median is 48. Averages can be skewed by unusually high or low numbers, so it can be best to focus on median numbers, as they're more representative. If you're in your 70s and have a 401(k) balance of $92,000, that's not going to support you for very long, at least by itself. You'll likely have Social Security benefits, but as of November, they averaged just $2,013 a month, or about $24,000 for the year.Advertisement Aim to have multiple income streams in your retirement years, with money coming in regularly from sources such as dividend-paying stocks, interest-bearing accounts, retirement accounts, pensions, and/or annuities. Do take the time to come up with a solid retirement plan, after estimating how much income you'll need in retirement and how you'll get it. Aim to be among the outliers in the table above, with retirement account balances way above average.Read NextJan 11, 2026 •By Christy BieberThis Social Security Spousal Benefits Rule Could Be a Big DisappointmentJan 11, 2026 •By Sean WilliamsPresident Donald Trump Wanted to Make a Historic Change to Social Security in 2025. He Failed -- but This Didn't Stop Most Seniors From Winning.Jan 11, 2026 •By Maurie BackmanThis 2026 Medicare Change Will Deal Retirees a Harsh BlowJan 10, 2026 •By Maurie BackmanHere's What Medicare Part B Costs in 2026Jan 10, 2026 •By Kailey Hagen, CFPThe 2026 Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period Is Here. 3 Things You Need to KnowJan 10, 2026 •By Adam Levy3 Big 2026 Updates Could Impact How Much of Your Social Security Benefits You Get to KeepAbout the AuthorSelena Maranjian is a contributing personal finance and investing expert at The Motley Fool. Selena has produced The Motley Fool’s nationally syndicated newspaper feature since 1997. She is the author of The Motley Fool Money Guide and Investment Clubs: How to Start and Run One the Motley Fool Way, and the co-author of The Motley Fool Investment Guide for Teens and several editions of The Motley Fool Investment Tax Guide. Prior to The Motley Fool, she worked as a high school teacher and public opinion analyst. She holds a master’s degree in teaching from Brown University and a master’s degree in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.TMFSelenaAdvertisement