Typical IRA Balance for Individuals in Their 50s by 2026—Key Facts You Should Know

Fidelity’s latest analysis of 18.3 million individual retirement accounts (IRAs) shows the average balance hit a record of $137,902 in the third quarter of 2025. 

For Gen X savers (ages 45 to 60), that figure sits at $120,273, an average that’s inflated by people who’ve saved far more.

The median tells a different story. Transamerica data on Americans in their 50s suggests middle-income Americans have about $112,000 across all their accounts, a figure below Fidelity’s IRA-only average.

Where People in Their 50s Actually Stand

Fidelity breaks down IRA balances by smaller age groups, and the numbers climb as people approach retirement. For those ages 50 to 54, the average IRA balance was $199,900 as of the third quarter of 2025. For those ages 55 to 59, it’s $244,900.

But averages can be misleading. A few people with massive balances pull the number up. Vanguard’s 401(k) data shows the gap: Americans ages 55 to 64 had an average balance of $271,320 but a median of just $95,642. The pattern holds for IRAs, where many accounts are small or inactive.

Why Balances Vary So Much

A few key factors explain the enormous spread in IRA balances. Starting early matters—compound growth needs time. Someone who began contributing in their 30s will have a much larger balance than someone who started at 45, even if they save the same amount each year.​

It’s no surprise that income matters a lot for how much people can sock away. Federal Reserve data from the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances shows households in the top income brackets save around $6,862 per year in tax-deferred accounts, while lower-income households manage just $300 annually.

Then there’s the rollover effect. About 59% of traditional IRA-owning households have accounts containing money rolled over from a previous employer’s 401(k). The Investment Company Institute found that traditional IRA balances with rollovers had a median of $180,000, compared with $50,000 for those without—a gap of more than three to one.​

Life competes for the same dollars. Home down payments, college tuition, and caring for aging parents can all crowd out retirement contributions, especially in your 50s when those expenses tend to peak.

Are You on Track?

Financial advisors generally recommend saving about six times your annual salary by age 50—across all your retirement accounts combined, not just your IRA. If you’re earning $80,000, that’s $480,000 total. By 55, that target climbs to about eight times your salary.​

Most of that money typically sits in workplace plans, not IRAs. The contribution limits explain why: in 2026, you can contribute $24,500 to a 401(k) but only $7,500 to an IRA. If you’re 50 or older, catch-up contributions raise those to $32,500 and $8,600, respectively. An IRA works best as a supplement, not a substitute, for a workplace plan.