BofA Report Finds Average 401(k) Balances Up Nearly 10% in 2023; More Participants Taking Hardship Withdrawals

Newly Expanded Participant Pulse Report Also Finds Health Savings Account Balances Up Nearly 12% This Year

Bank of America released its Q2 2023 Participant Pulse, which found average 401(k) balances increased by $7,250 (9.6%) since the end of 2022. The report also found that a growing number of 401(k) participants are initiating withdrawals from their plans. The number of participants taking hardship distributions increased 36% year-over-year, following increases in Q11 this year. In addition, the percent of participants borrowing from their workplace plan in Q2 also increased (2.5%, up from 1.9% in Q1).

The Pulse monitors plan participants' behavior in Bank of America recordkeeping clients' employee benefits programs, which is comprised of more than 4 million participants as of June 30, 2023.

"The data from our report tells two stories – one of balance growth, optimism from younger employees and maintaining contributions, contrasted with a trend of increased plan withdrawals," said Lorna Sabbia, Head of Retirement and Personal Wealth Solutions at Bank of America. "This year, more employees are understandably prioritizing short-term expenses over long-term saving. However, it's critical that employees continue to invest in life's biggest expense – retirement."

Amid rising 401(k) plan withdrawals, employee contributions remained steady, with the average rate remaining at 6.5% throughout the first half of 2023. Meanwhile, more participants increased their rate than decreased their rate (10.2% vs. 2.2%) in Q2, which was led by Gen Z and Millennial employees (19.3% vs. 2.6% and 11% vs. 2.6%, respectively).

Health Saving Account and Financial Wellness Trends

To provide a more holistic look at confidence around financial preparedness, Bank of America has expanded the quarterly Participant Pulse report series to examine engagement across Health Saving Accounts (HSA) and overall feelings of financial wellness, in addition to 401(k) trends. Key HSA and financial wellness findings include:HSA account balances increased by 11.9% over year-end 2022. Average HSA account balances increased from $3,931 to $4,397 in the first six months of 2023.

Many HSA account holders continue to save their contributions for future expenses. Nearly 4 in 10 account holders contributed more than they withdrew in Q2, consistent with year-end 2022.

Baby Boomers invested their HSAs at higher rates than other generations. On average, only 12% of account holders invested their HSAs for future growth in Q2, with Baby Boomers leading at 15%. In addition, more men invested than women (18% vs. 11%).

Feelings of financial wellness declined slightly. Out of a possible 100 points, the average financial wellness score for employees was 56, down one point from 57 at year-end, with women trailing men (52 vs. 59).

Read the full report and methodology to learn more.

1 Bank of America, "401(k) Participant Pulse," March 2023.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 68 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,900 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs and award-winning digital banking with approximately 57 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

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