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Average 401(k) balance hits record $155,800 in second quarter: Fidelity

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Average 401(k) balance hits record $155,800 in second quarter: Fidelity

Americans’ 401(k) balances reached a record high in the second quarter of 2026, new data shows.

The average 401(k) balance climbed to a record $155,800 in the second quarter of 2026, up 10.5% from the previous quarter and 13.1% from a year earlier, according to Fidelity Investments’ Q2 2026 Building Financial Futures report.

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“After a slight drop in the first quarter of 2026, the average 401(k) and 403(b) account balances rebounded to record levels in Q2 2026,” the report noted.

Jade Warshaw, co-host of “The Ramsey Show,” told FOX Business that the gains reflect years of strong market performance, increased participation from younger workers and a growing desire among Americans to build financial security amid ongoing economic uncertainty.

AMERICANS’ 401(K) BALANCES HIT RECORD LEVELS IN 2025

A couple reviews financial documents and uses a calculator while planning their finances.

The average 401(k) balance climbed to $155,800 in the second quarter of 2026, up 10.5% from the previous quarter and 13.1% from a year earlier. (iStock)

“I think it’s a combination,” she said. “… I’ve seen a trend with Gen Z, who is really investing more.”

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Heightened economic uncertainty has played a role, prompting some Americans to focus on the aspects of their finances that they can control, according to Warshaw.

“Depending on the generation that we’re talking about and whose account we’re talking about, different things are driving it,” Warshaw said. “I think right now, there’s just a want and a need for security.”

She added, “You can look at the worldview, and it can just feel a little bit anxiety-ridden, and a lot of us find peace in controlling a controllable.”

MOST 401(K) SAVERS MAY BE SHORT-CHANGING THEMSELVES, DATA SHOWS

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A person checks the performance of an investment portfolio on a smartphone.

Warshaw also credited years of strong market returns with encouraging more workers to continue investing. (iStock)

Warshaw also credited years of strong market gains with encouraging more workers to continue investing.

“I think a lot of people are wanting to capitalize on that,” she said.

However, Warshaw cautioned against prioritizing retirement investing before building a financial foundation. 

She encouraged Americans to follow Ramsey Solutions’ “7 Baby Steps,” beginning with a $1,000 emergency fund, paying off consumer debt and building three to six months of living expenses before investing 15% of gross income for retirement.

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For workers whose retirement accounts have reached record balances, Warshaw said the biggest mistake is trying to outsmart the market.

BEWARE THE TICKING TIME BOMB HIDING IN YOUR 401(K)

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Jade Warshaw, co-host of “The Ramsey Show,” cautioned against prioritizing retirement investing before building a financial foundation.  (FOX Business)

“What I suggest for people to do is invest in the most boring way possible,” she said.

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Rather than reacting to market swings, Warshaw recommends consistently investing through payroll deductions using dollar-cost averaging. 

“You set it and forget it and let it run,” she said, comparing the approach to “the tortoise and the hare” and arguing that steady investing gives savers the best chance to build long-term wealth.

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SP Group weighs Rs 3,500 crore debt repayment options

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SP Group weighs Rs 3,500 crore debt repayment options
Shapoorji Pallonji Group is weighing the option to raise funds or extend about ₹3,500 crore of debt due to Porteast and scheduled for repayment by the end of September, as the central bank’s effective mandate of a Tata Sons listing provides clear path to investors for debt repayment, people familiar with the matter said. The RBI mandate would also build broader investor trust in the ability of the infrastructure conglomerate to monetise its stake in the Tata group holding company and meet future redemption commitments, they said.

SP Group will decide whether to raise ₹3,500 crore for repayment or request for additional time to meet the repayment deadline, the people said.

Read more: Nifty may rebound to 23,800; Rupak De picks Apollo, Laurus Labs and Eternal for the week

Given a clear exit path for SP Group lenders through listing of Tata Sons, lenders would be receptive for an extension of the September 30 payment timeline, said people familiar with the developments. SP Group had raised ₹28,500 crore through NCDs in May 2025, at Porteast, which were backed by a pledge of a 9.2% stake in Tata Sons. The bonds were originally priced at 19.75%.

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The refinancing comes as Shapoorji Pallonji Group’s debt investors gain greater visibility on a potential value-unlocking event at Tata Sons following the Reserve Bank of India‘s rejection of Tata Sons’ application to voluntarily surrender its core investment company registration.


Read more: Inside NSE IPO journey: Why India’s largest exchange took 10 long years to reach Dalal Street
SP Group had raised about ₹15,200 crore through three-year rupee-denominated zero-coupon bonds issued by Eqyizen Investment at a yield of 18.95%, alongside a $650 million bond issued by Mercury Finance at 14.5%. The instruments were raised largely against the group’s Tata Sons holding. Funds raised at the Eqyizen level were used primarily to refinance about ₹16,500 crore of rupee bonds at Goswami Infratech.This request from SP Group would follow the regulatory rejection of a Tata Sons request for de-registration as an NBFC.

Investor demand for SP Group debt has improved, with recent trades tightening and investors indicating that the earlier 18%-19% IRR reference level is no longer relevant following positive developments around Tata Sons, people familiar with the matter said.

Apart from Porteast, Equizen financing also carries a deleveraging covenant requiring repayment of at least ₹13,500 crore within 24 months of issuance.

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Chinese defence forum set to open amid roiling regional tensions

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Chinese defence forum set to open amid roiling regional tensions

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Swedish election in dead heat as voters question liberal traditions

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Swedish election in dead heat as voters question liberal traditions

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Kennedy Center on brink of bankruptcy, could close as early as Tuesday, Washington Post reports

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Kennedy Center on brink of bankruptcy, could close as early as Tuesday, Washington Post reports

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Woman dies of complications from measles in western Pennsylvania

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Woman dies of complications from measles in western Pennsylvania

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Zipalertinib plus chemo shows survival benefit in lung cancer trial

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Zipalertinib plus chemo shows survival benefit in lung cancer trial

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Oil prices jump over 3% on more M.East action, Hormuz meeting delay

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Oil prices jump over 3% on more M.East action, Hormuz meeting delay

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Michael Dell’s DFO Management nears take-private deal for Baldwin Insurance Group, FT reports

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Michael Dell’s DFO Management nears take-private deal for Baldwin Insurance Group, FT reports

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How to protect your laptop, phone and bike from thieves at uni

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Student sits on the grass with a phone in her hand, a tablet computer on the grass and a bike resting on a tree behind her.

First, the ABI suggests checking if you are covered already. Some student halls might already include insurance, or your parents’ policy might extend to you.

If not, there is the option of buying contents insurance.

“This type of policy covers the cost of replacing or repairing your possessions if they are damaged, destroyed or stolen – giving you peace of mind that you’re protected should something go wrong,” the ABI said.

You must check how much you’re covered for and whether it’s enough to replace everything, including the maximum value of a claim on a single item.

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You can do this by creating an inventory of all of your contents, including clothes, electronics and furniture, and adding up the cost of replacing each item.

You might need to pay extra to cover a nice bike, or to cover items that you take out and about with you rather than leave in your accommodation.

And, if you’re driving, make sure your insurer knows the car is kept somewhere new.

If it is your parents’ car and you are now the main driver, you have to inform the insurer. It’s illegal if you don’t.

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Iron ore reserves worth $5.5 trillion to WA economy, CME report finds

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Iron ore reserves worth $5.5 trillion to WA economy, CME report finds

Western Australia still has nearly 50 billion tonnes of known iron ore in the ground worth an estimated $5.5 trillion to the nation’s economy, having already mined 17bn tonnes of the red rock.

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