Since Robert started investing in self-directed retirement accounts 401K, IRA, SEP-IRA, he has wondered what might be the record amount anyone has ever accumulated in such a tax-deferred account. It might be quite a bit. The amount one can contribute in a year is limited by law, but the absolute amount a person can earn on those investments and hold in these accounts is not capped.

Mitt Romney, according to his own limited disclosures, says he has accumulated between $20M and $100M in his SEP IRA.  Robert assumes that this means it is very close to being $100M.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-15/the-secret-behind-romney-s-magical-ira.html

Robert’s understanding is that the average American has about $90K is his/her retirement account.

Still, Robert wonders what the all-time record amount might be.