Bank of America's Better Money Habits team has published a guide to identify 10 questions that separate informed savers from those coasting on autopilot. The average 401(k) balance rose 11 percent in 2025 to $146,100 across nearly 25 million accounts, according to Fidelity Investments. The most valuable feature of any 401(K) plan is the employer match, which falls between 4% and 6% of compensation. However, one in four eligible employees does not contribute enough to receive the full employer match. The guide emphasizes that matching structures vary widely, from dollar-for-dollar matches to partial matches of 50 cents per dollar contributed. The IRS has raised the employee deferral limit to $24,500 for 2026, up from $23,500 in the prior year. Workers aged 50 and older can contribute an additional $8,000 in catch-up contributions, bringing their annual contribution limit to €32,500. The SECURE 2.0 Act also created a super catch up for workers between ages 60 and 63, allowing them to contribute $11,250 instead of the standard $8k for $8000 for a total of $35,750.