Retirement accounts rebound to record highs after early-year slump. Here’s how to maximize your contributions

2025 didn’t start off so hot for investors, but fortunes have changed in a big way in Q3. Data from Fidelity (1) revealed record highs across its 52 million retirement products, including 401(k)s and IRAs. Currently, the average 401(k) balance is $144,400, while the average IRA balance is $137,902. For context, that’s respectively 20% higher and 17% higher since the third quarter of 2020. The number of 401(k) and IRA millionaires also increased by 10% and 11.5% between Q2 and Q3, respectively. Fidelity ...