The average account balance among the more than 11 million 401(k) plans overseen by Fidelity Investments was $60,700 for the quarter ended Sept. 30, up nearly 13% from the previous quarter and 28% higher than $47,500 on March 31, the all-time low.
The median one-year personal rate of return for participants for the period ended Sept. 30 was 0.4%, while the annualized five-year median rate was 3.2% and the annualized 10-year median, 1.9%, according to a Fidelity report.
The third quarter saw the first positive median rate of return in seven quarters, said Fidelity spokesman Mike Shamrell.
Also, 27% of Fidelity 401(k) plan clients that lowered or suspended their company match last year already have reinstated or plan to reinstate it in 2010. Forty-four percent of plans with 5,000 participants or more that lowered or suspended their company match said they have reinstated or plan to reinstate it over the next year.
