A record number of people became millionaires through their retirement funds during the second quarter of the year, according to Fidelity Investments.
Compared to the first quarter of 2024, the number of 401k-created millionaires increased by 2.5% to 497,000, said a recent report from the financial services company. IRA-created millionaires increased by 6% to 398,594.
These newly-minted millionaires started saving early and made consistent contributions, it explained.
According to the Internal Revenue Service, 401ks are features of profit-sharing plans that allow employees to contribute a portion of their wages into investment accounts. The U.S. Department of Labor identifies 401k plans as defined contribution plans. IRAs are tax-advantaged personal savings plans and are also considered defined contribution plans.
Money put into 401k and IRA plans is not taxed until it is taken out after retirement. Due to this tax advantage, the federal government puts restrictions about when people can withdraw their contributions, Fidelity noted.
“Named for the tax code section that created it, a 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan with special tax benefits,” said the company. “Employers typically offer 401(k)s as part of a benefits package to attract and retain workers.”
Fidelity found that retirement savers experienced growth for the third quarter in a row as of the second quarter of the year. Account balances were also at the third highest average on record and the 401k savings rate was the closest its been to the company’s suggested 15% rate.
“Gen X made strong gains with their retirement savings, with current IRA contributions the highest observed in the last five years,” said Fidelity.
While 401ks are the most popular type of retirement savings plan many people don’t have access to that type of investment plan. In fact, Fidelity said that just 38% (60 million Americans) of the working population has one.
This summer, Audacy reported on a “retirement crisis in the U.S., particularly for people who are not able to participate in defined contribution plans offered by their employers,” citing a study conducted by Morningstar Retirement Services. That study found that 57% of those not participating at all in a defined contribution plan in the future may run short of money.