The median 401(k) balance for individuals in their 70s is approximately $92,000 to $92,611, according to data from Empower and Nasdaq. While the average balance is much higher (over $400,000) due to high-earners, the median better represents the typical, midpoint savings for this age group as withdrawals begin.
Average 401(k) balance for 70s – $425,589; median – $92,225
The average age to retire is 65 for men and 63 for women, so it's not surprising to see the average and median 401(k) balance figures start to decline in people's 70s as people start withdrawing from their accounts.
According to estimates based on the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, a mere 3.2% of retirees have over $1 million in their retirement accounts. The number of those with $2 million or more is even smaller, falling somewhere between this 3.2% and the 0.1% who have $5 million or more saved.
If you retire with $1 million, the answer to “How long will it last?” depends heavily on your withdrawal rate, inflation, taxes, and investment returns. A $40,000 withdrawal rate can potentially last through age 100, while a more aggressive $80,000 withdrawal rate may deplete funds before age 80.
Empower Personal DashboardTM data shows 9.1% of people fall into the category of 401(k) millionaire as of September 30, 2025, having accumulated at least $1 million in retirement savings in employer-sponsored plans and individually controlled IRA savings and investment accounts.
The top ten financial mistakes most people make after retirement are:
Methods to estimate how much you need to retire
A general rule of thumb is to have at least 10 to 12 times your annual income saved by age 67 if you plan to retire at this traditional retirement age. For instance, if you earn $150,000 per year, the retirement savings target would be between $1.5 and $1.8 million.
4 common 401(k) mistakes to avoid
Average net worth at age 72
According to Federal Reserve data, households led by someone between the ages of 70 and 74 have an average net worth of about $1.7 million to $1.8 million. This is the mean figure, and it's heavily skewed by very wealthy households.
Your tax bracket and how much you pay should also be considered when planning how much money you'll need for retirement. Retiring at 60 with $1 million is feasible. For 25 years, it provides approximately $68,000 annually.
Additionally, among the 89 million total U.S. households headed by someone between 40 and 85 years old, only 6% had $2 million or more in investable assets. This shows that very few American households - whether headed by younger or older adults - actually reach the $2 million threshold for retirement savings.
Of the 54.3% of U.S. households that have any money in retirement accounts, only about 9.3% have $500,000 or more in retirement savings.
How Much Does the Average 70-Year-Old Have in Savings? According to data from the Federal Reserve's most recent Survey of Consumer Finances, the average 65 to 74-year-old has a little over $426,000 saved. That's money that's specifically set aside in retirement accounts, including 401(k) plans and IRAs.
The 7-3-2 rule is a financial strategy for wealth building, suggesting it takes 7 years to save your first major financial goal (like a crore), then accelerating to achieve the next goal in 3 years, and the third goal in just 2 years, leveraging compounding and disciplined, increased investments (like a 10% annual SIP hike). It highlights how returns compound faster over time, drastically reducing the time needed for subsequent wealth targets, emphasizing patience and consistent, growing contributions.
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.