Morsa Images / Getty Images High income is not the only way to financial prosperity; living frugally, investing wisely, and optimizing for taxes are all important ingredients for anyone to accumulate financial wealth. Key Takeaways Only 3.2% of retirees have $1 million in retirement accounts vs. about 2.6% of Americans in general. The average retirement savings for households aged 65-74 is $609,000, while the median is only about $200,000. The number of "401(k) millionaires" in America reached a reco ...

Core Insights - The number of 401(k) millionaires reached an all-time high of 654,000 in September, up from 595,000 at the end of June, reflecting strong market performance [1] - Millennials, aged 29 to 44, are the largest group contributing to this increase, marking a shift from previous generations [1][3] - The average 401(k) balance is now $144,400, and the average IRA account balance is $137,902, both showing a 5% increase from the end of June [4] Group Analysis - The increase in 401(k) millionaires is significant compared to the first quarter, where only 512,000 savers had at least $1 million, down from 537,000 at the end of the previous year [2] - Millennials now represent 3.7% of millionaires, up from 1.8% a year ago, while Boomers account for 36% and Gen X for 60% [4] - Women's average account balances have surpassed $501,100, a 16.5% increase from the previous year, indicating a positive trend among long-term female savers [5] Contribution Rates - Total average 401(k) savings rates remain steady at 9.5%, with an average employer contribution rate of 4.7%, leading to a combined contribution rate of 14.2%, a record high [5] - Fidelity suggests a savings rate of 15%, indicating that current contributions may still be below optimal levels [5] Market Context - The number of millionaire savers is influenced by market performance, and while the current figures are record highs, they represent a small percentage of Fidelity's retirement savers [6]