Retirement savings are up despite the pandemic, Fidelity says

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Traffic and pedestrians move outside a Fidelity Investments office in Boston, Massachusetts Monday, July 30, 2007. Photographer: JB Reed/ Bloomberg News
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Despite a global pandemic and record-setting layoffs, U.S. employees managed to save more for retirement than years prior.

Fidelity Investments, one of the nation’s largest retirement account providers, found that one in three individuals increased their retirement contributions last year. Although 6.3% of retirement plan participants took withdrawals in 2020 to cope with the financial difficulties of the pandemic, the majority of employees actually ramped up their contributions. On average, people using Fidelity plans had a quarterly savings rate of 7.3% for 403(b) accounts and 9.1% for 401(k) accounts — both record levels, company executives say.

Employers played a significant role in those savings. Individuals receiving employer contributions to their retirement fund experienced savings of 11% for 403(b) accounts and 13.5% for 401(k) accounts.

“Last year was challenging and we still may have rough patches ahead, so it’s more important than ever to stay the course and keep focused on the key steps that will help investors reach their retirement goals,” Kevin Barry, president of workplace investing at Fidelity Investments, said in a statement.

Fidelity’s retirement analysis also found that women and Gen Z employees had higher retirement plan participation rates during the pandemic. Last year, women’s 401(k) savings rates climbed to 9%, up from 8.7% in 2019. Overall, women who’ve invested in Fidelity retirement plans for 10 years or more now have balances of more than a quarter of a million dollars.

Read more: Women need financial wellness more than ever, Bank of America survey finds

Gen Z, the youngest generation in the workforce, started prioritizing retirement during the pandemic. By the end of last year, more than 800,000 Gen Z employees enrolled in Fidelity’s 401(k) platform — a 10% higher enrollment rate than in 2019. Members of this generation now have an average balance of $5,800 in their retirement savings — a 13.3% increase over the previous quarter.

Fidelity executives say employers should continue to encourage their workforce to engage in positive savings habits.

“Taking a long-term approach to retirement savings, which includes consistent savings efforts and managing asset allocation, can help investors weather the economy’s ups and downs,” Barry said.

Read more: Coronavirus crisis highlights need for retirement system overhaul

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