[googlywoogly]

The exact value of all 401k isn't really known, but the average account value is estimated at ~135k, if (let's say) 200 million Americans have a 401k, that comes out to 27 trillion.

[dmoy]

> isn't really known

It's mostly known, but you're probably right it's not exactly known

45 trillion across all retirement accounts, 12 trillion in defined contribution (including 401k), 9 trillion in just 401k

https://www.ici.org/statistical-report/ret_25_q2

In that chart, the 18T of IRA has portion in private equity, and the 15T of pension (defined benefit) has a portion in private equity. The 13T defined contribution plans (of which the vast majority is 401k) can't be placed in private equity right now.

[victorbjorklund]

Yeah, but I don't think anybody is expecting every single American to take out 100% of their savings from the stock market and put them in private equity.

[FanaHOVA]

You really think the amount of savings in 401ks is the same size as the GDP of the whole country?

[hollerith]

That's comparing a rate of flow to a static amount. In other words, GDP is 27 trillion per year.

[dmoy]

It's not, but IRA plus 401k is about equal to GDP, yes (and if you add approximately equivalent defined contribution plans like 403b, tsp, etc, then it's more than GDP)

[rsynnott]

Why shouldn't it be? GDP is _economic production (for some value of economic production) for a year_. It's not all that closely linked to wealth.