Average Net Worth by Age in 2026: Where Do You Stand?

Averages hide the full picture. Here's where each percentile falls by age group, so you can see exactly where your net worth ranks among people your age:

Notice two important patterns: First, the gap between the 50th and 90th percentiles widens dramatically with age — the wealth gap compounds over time, not just wealth itself. Second, net worth for the 25th percentile barely grows at all, suggesting that roughly a quarter of Americans accumulate little to no financial wealth across their entire working lives.

Net worth has a simple formula: Total Assets − Total Liabilities = Net Worth. But knowing what to include matters:

Assets to include:

• Liquid assets: checking accounts, savings, money market funds, CDs
• Investments: brokerage accounts, 401(k)s, IRAs, HSAs, pensions, stock options
• Real estate: current market value of your home and any investment properties
• Other assets: vehicles (current resale value, not purchase price), business equity, valuable personal property

Liabilities to subtract:

• Mortgage balance (remaining principal, not original loan amount)
• Student loans, car loans, personal loans
• Credit card debt (current balance)
• Any other debts: medical debt, tax liens, HELOC balance

While the Federal Reserve data shows what Americans actually have, financial planners suggest different targets for what you should have. Here are three widely-cited frameworks:

1. The Fidelity Guideline (retirement-focused):

• By 30: 1× annual salary saved for retirement
• By 40: 3× annual salary
• By 50: 6× annual salary
• By 60: 8× annual salary
• By 67: 10× annual salary

2. The 20× Spending Rule (FIRE-aligned):

Instead of salary multiples, target 25× your annual spending. This is based on the 4% safe withdrawal rate and works regardless of income level. Someone spending $40,000/year needs $1 million; someone spending $80,000 needs $2 million.

3. The "Half Your Age" Savings Rate:

Start saving half your age as a percentage of income. At 20, save 10%; at 30, save 15%; at 40, save 20%. This automatically accelerates your savings as your earnings peak.

Whether you're starting at zero in your 20s or playing catch-up in your 50s, the principles are the same — only the intensity differs:

In your 20s and 30s: Build the foundation

• Eliminate high-interest debt (credit cards, personal loans) before aggressive investing
• Max your employer 401(k) match — it's a guaranteed 50–100% return
• Target a 15–20% savings rate and invest in low-cost index funds (total U.S. stock market or S&P 500)
• Build a 3–6 month emergency fund so market downturns don't force you to sell investments

In your 40s and 50s: Maximize and optimize

• Take advantage of catch-up contributions: extra $7,500/year in 401(k)s after age 50
• Reassess your asset allocation — shift gradually toward bonds as you approach retirement
• Consider real estate if you haven't already — home equity is the median American's largest asset
• Aggressively pay down your mortgage if retirement is within 10 years

In your 60s and beyond: Protect and transition

• Determine your optimal Social Security claiming age — delaying from 62 to 70 increases benefits by ~77%
• Convert Traditional IRA funds to Roth strategically during low-income years
• Set up a sustainable withdrawal strategy (the 4% rule or a variable approach)
• Review estate planning: beneficiary designations, trusts, and tax-efficient inheritance strategies

All figures in this guide are derived from the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), the most comprehensive U.S. household wealth survey. The SCF is conducted every three years; the most recent available data is from 2022.

Inflation adjustment: We converted 2022 dollar amounts to 2026 dollars using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), applying cumulative inflation of approximately 12.5% from Q4 2022 to Q2 2026.

What "net worth" includes: The SCF defines net worth as total assets (financial + nonfinancial, including primary residence, vehicles, retirement accounts, and business interests) minus total liabilities (mortgages, consumer debt, student loans, and other outstanding balances).