401(k) Balances Hit Record High - $111,900 for Ages 50-54

Here's some good news. 

Our retirement plan balances are rising, so maybe we actually can retire in relative comfort, provided we continue to save and save some more.

A Fidelity Investments analysis of 401(k) plans showed that the average balance rose to a record high at the end of last year  - $77,300. That's up from $69,100, a 12 percent increase from one year earlier.

Workers 50-plus did even better. Here's the average breakdown by age group as of the end of last year:

Ages 50 to 54: $111,900

Ages 55 to 59: $134,600

Ages 60 to 64: $133,100

Ages 65 to 69: $136,800

The higher balances in retirement plans last year were mostly due to a thriving market. Still, about one-third was from  workers' contributions into their plans, according to Fidelity. It looked at 20,500 workplace plans of 12 million participants.

[ See also: How much do you need to retire?]

In another sign of the improving economy, workers increased the amount they socked away for the 15th straight quarter.

Workers on average save 8 percent of their annual salaries in their 401(k) plans. When the typical employer contribution was factored in, the savings rate increased to 12 percent, according to Fidelity.

While the $77,300 balance may not sound great, consider this: When the stock market hit bottom in the first quarter of 2009, the average 401(k) balance was $46,200.

Photo credit: Tax credits via flickr.com