The older we get, the more we realize that how we measure success isn’t your report card or your end of semester grades. Instead, its dictated by our Net Worth! In this article, we’re going to dissect the average net worth by age and see how we compare.
Chances are, after reading through this article, you’re likely to start comparing yourself with the above average. That’s good! Maybe it might be the kick in the butt motivation you’ve been looking for. Either way, let’s have fun with it! So here are the Average Net Worth numbers by age.
How do you calculate your net worth?
Figuring it out is very simple. It’s the total of all your assets minus the total of your debts. The number you come up with will be your net worth. It might be negative, or might be positive.
Knowing your net worth is a very strong indicator of your overall financial health.
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How to figure out your assets
- Total of all your investments including individual stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
- Your current retirement savings in all retirement accounts. This includes 401k, IRA and ROTH IRA
- The current market value of your home and/or rental property.
- The current value of your vehicles.
- Cash value of your checking accounts and savings accounts.
- Items of significant value like artwork, antiques, or jewelry.
How to figure out your liabilities
- Mortgages on your primary home and rental properties
- Current balance on your car loans
- Current balance on your student loans
- Current balance on your personal loans
- Total of all credit card debt
- Back taxes
- Medical debt
- Liens or judgments against you
What do the statistics show
According to the Federal Reserve’s Triennial Consumer Finance Survey, the average net worth for the following age groups are:
| Age Group | Average Net Worth |
|---|---|
| Under 35 | $76,200 |
| 35-44 | $288,700 |
| 45-54 | $727,500 |
| 55-64 | $1,167,400 |
| 65-74 | $1,067,000 |
You might be thinking to yourself Man… That’s really high net worths, how will I ever stack up against that? Now the thing is these numbers incredibly skewed by the very wealthy in society, so they push up the averages way up. Here is the median net worth of similar age groups:
| Age Group | Median Net Worth |
|---|---|
| Under 35 | $10,200 |
| 35-44 | $68,400 |
| 45-54 | $110,600 |
| 55-64 | $168,500 |
| 65-74 | $223,300 |
The median numbers are vastly different from the averages! This just demonstrates how drastic the net worth differences are from the very wealthy and the median net worth.
So who are the above average?
Good question dear reader. Lets attempt to define what the above-average individual is:
- They typically would have attended college and believe in good work ethic
- Always makes calculated decisions and does not do what feels good in the moment
- Saves for the future because they realize Yesterday and Today have come and gone, but tomorrow is certain
- Believe that what is measured improves. So they track their net worth and likely stick to written budgets
- Always make an effort to better themselves by learning and educating themselves
- Typically has little to no student debt because of paying out of pocket, help from relatives and family, and stayed in-state to maintain lower costs
How much does the Above Average Person have saved in their 401k?
Now that we’ve deconstructed what an above-average person is most likely like, we now need to look at how much they are able to save at a particular age.
Again, remember, these numbers are used to distinguish the Above Average Saver.
As the graph shows, it’s easy to determine which category you would belong in. Take this as an inspiration to become the above-average high-end saver. This graph assumes that the above average person is able to start maxing out their tax-deferred retirement plan every year after the second full year of work and continue on without fail until 65.
How much do they have as Real Estate Equity
One cannot understate the importance of owning real estate when building true wealth. Have you ever wondered why it is that the majority of the wealthiest people on the planet have their hands in real estate one way or the other? Property is an exceptional vehicle to true wealth.
The table above shows the accumulation of equity assuming the individual purchased a property at age 27 and begins accumulating wealth. In the United States, real estate appreciates at an average of 3-4% a year (slightly above inflation) and almost no other asset appreciates in this way consistently.
Many arguments and discussions can be made regarding owning real estate vs renting, but the statistics paint a clear picture. Those that are above average own real estate, and their property appreciates, they pay down their principal, and in turn, are worth more and more as time passes.
So what’s the Above Average Net Worth?
Now that we’ve looked at the various aspects that affect the net worth of individuals during their lives, let’s look at the final numbers:
| Age Group | Above Average Net Worth |
|---|---|
| By 30 | $250,000 |
| By 35 | $429,000 |
| By 40 | $660,000 |
| By 45 | $914,000 |
| By 50 | $1,240,250 |
As high as these numbers may seem to some, it takes hard work, discipline, and perseverance to achieve this. What we all have to realize is that the above-average people are also just people. Most were not born into wealth or had handouts, but merely prioritized their piece of mind and wealth accumulation.
How can I improve my net worth?
Great, we’ve figured out what the above-average person looks like in a snapshot. But now, you’re probably trying to figure out what your net worth is, or even better, how to improve it. Let’s quickly look at a few things that you could do to improve it.
1. Track your finances
Simply put, you will need to start keeping track of your finances and keeping an eye out on your Net Worth! I strongly recommend Personal Capital.
What gets measured gets improved!
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This service offers Net Worth Tracking, budgeting, and a retirement planner to ensure that you have a plan for retirement. One thing in life is for certain. Yesterday is gone. Today is almost gone. Tomorrow is coming. We all need to focus on tomorrow and not today or yesterday. The time is now to keep track of your finances and have your future set up for success.
2. Increase your income
There are many ways that this can be done. Ranging from increasing your income from your job to figuring out ways you can increase your passive income, there are many ways to go about it. Here are some helpful topics:
- How To Double Your Income In One Year
- How To Earn Passive Income
- How To Make Money On Pinterest
- How To Invest In Real Estate: Your First Property
My personal favorite way to do this is to invest in real estate. Sure, this might seem daunting at first, but it’s definitely doable. I’ve done it, and I know you can too. I’ve talked about it more here.
3. Control your finances by budgeting
Lastly, you need to control your finances, and not let them control you. This is done by making sure you have a written budget that you follow and that you update frequently. Most people live day to day without any idea where or what their money is doing. Having a budget fixes that.
So make sure you grab this free worksheet and start figuring out your budget.
Final thoughts
Take these numbers as motivation! As human beings, we’re naturally inclined to compare ourselves to our peers, and see just how well we stack up to everyone else. Use these numbers as a benchmark to see where you are, and where you want to be.
Everybody defines their success in different ways. Net worth is just a number that’s used to figure out your monetary value, but it shouldn’t be your sole benchmark to overall success. Take all this with a grain of salt 🙂
Thanks for reading.
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