Median retirement account savings of households age 26–79*, by household type, 1989–2010 (2010 dollars)

Year Married or living with partner Neither married nor living with partner
1989 $23,613 $11,807
1992 $25,773 $11,522
1995 $28,327 $16,713
1998 $38,683 $20,008
2001 $46,564 $18,380
2004 $56,382 $21,862
2007 $56,575 $31,430
2010 $59,000 $25,000

*Median balances are for households with positive savings in these accounts.

Note: Retirement account savings include savings in 401(k) and other defined-contribution plans, IRAs (including employer-sponsored SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs) and Keogh plans for small businesses.

Source: Authors' analysis of Survey of Consumer Finance microdata

View the underlying data on epi.org.