"Plan design and participant behavior trends that worked well for defined contribution participants in 2024 continued into 2025 ... Last year, the average participant account balance increased by 13% year-over-year, hitting a record high of $167,970 on December 31, 2025. Vanguard reported that 45% of participants increased their deferral rates in 2025, either on their own or as part of an automatic annual increase."  MORE >>