More Women Are Hitting $500K in Their 401(k) Plans: What They’re Doing Right That Many Miss
Written by
Gabrielle Olya
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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Women are continuing to strengthen their long-term financial security. A new Fidelity study found that the average 401(k) balance among women has grown 22% over the past five years, compared to 20% among savers overall. In addition, women who have been continuously contributing to their 401(k) plans for 15 years had an average balance of $508,700 at the end of 2025, up from $453,500 a year prior.
In this “Financially Savvy Female” column, we’re chatting with Alex Roca, host of Fidelity’s “Women Talk Money,” about what these women are doing right and how more women can realistically reach $500,000 401(k) balances.
Why is it so important to remain consistent when it comes to 401(k) investing?
Staying consistent with your 401(k) contributions is one of the most impactful habits you can build when saving for retirement. Regular investing keeps your money working through both market highs and lows, which helps take the pressure off trying to “get it right” or react to short-term volatility.
While a common guideline is to aim for saving around 15% of your income each year (including any employer match), it’s important to remember that this isn’t an all-or-nothing goal. You don’t need to get there overnight. Even modest, steady contributions can make a meaningful difference over time.
Each deposit builds your foundation, and as your balance grows, your earnings have the opportunity to generate earnings of their own. Starting with what you can today is far more powerful than waiting for the “perfect” time to begin.
How can pausing or reducing contributions compound to bigger losses over time?
When you pause or reduce your 401(k) contributions, the impact goes beyond the dollars you didn’t invest in that moment. Even a relatively short break can mean those dollars have fewer years to benefit from market growth, which can quietly add up to a much smaller balance down the road.
That said, life happens. If you’ve had to pause contributions, the most important thing is simply getting started again. You can restart with an amount that feels manageable and gradually increase it as your situation allows.
Reestablishing consistency, even at a modest level, puts compounding back in motion. Even small steps can make a meaningful difference.
What advice would you give to women who want to achieve $500K 401(k) balances?
Reaching a $500,000 401(k) balance starts with a belief that steady progress really does add up.
While a common benchmark is working toward saving about 15% of your income each year, including any employer match, that doesn’t have to be your starting line. What matters most isn’t perfection — it’s persistence.
Fully using the benefits available to you can be a real accelerator. Contributing enough to capture your full employer match is one of the simplest ways to boost your savings, because it’s money added to your future at no extra cost to you.
Keeping your savings in tax-advantaged accounts like a 401(k) is another powerful way to support your growth.
And perhaps most importantly, remember this: It’s never too late to start, and you don’t have to save perfectly to succeed. Small, consistent actions can lead to remarkable outcomes.
With time, patience and belief in your ability to build toward your goals, $500,000 becomes not just a number, but a reflection of your commitment to your future.
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