The runup in public equities markets in 2025—the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) opened the year at 42,660 points but closed at 48,063 on Dec. 31—led to double-digit annual percentage increases in retirement account balances, Vanguard and Fidelity Investment said in separate reports.
According to Vanguard’s “How America Saves 2026” report published on March 4, participants’ retirement account balances averaged just under $168,000 at the end of 2025—a 13-percent increase from the end of 2024. Median account balances stood at $44,115, a 16-percent increase since 2024 ended.
