Net worth benchmarks by age answer a common question: am I ahead or behind? Federal Reserve and Census data show wide variation, age, income, education, homeownership, and inheritance all skew the numbers.
Benchmarks are reference points, not grades. A 30-year-old with negative net worth from student loans may be on a strong trajectory with a high income and savings rate. A 50-year-old with high net worth but no plan for retirement spending may be less prepared than the number suggests.
What the data shows
Recent Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances data shows median net worth around $15,000–$30,000 for households under 35, rising to roughly $200,000–$400,000 for households aged 55–64. Mean (average) figures are much higher because wealthy households pull the average up.
Home equity is the largest asset for most American households. A homeowner in their 50s with a paid-down mortgage may show strong net worth on paper but limited liquid assets for retirement spending.
Student debt depresses net worth for younger cohorts. Median net worth for under-35 households is pulled down by borrowers still in the repayment phase.
FIRE-oriented savings targets
FIRE community rules of thumb focus on investable assets relative to income. One guideline: have 1× your annual salary saved by 30, 3× by 40, 6× by 50, and 10× by 60 for a traditional retirement track.
On a $75,000 salary, that means $75,000 by 30, $225,000 by 40, $450,000 by 50, and $750,000 by 60. FIRE planners targeting earlier retirement aim for multiples well above these.
These targets count investable assets, retirement accounts, brokerage, cash, not home equity you plan to live in. Adjust for your actual retirement spending target using the 25× expenses rule.
Adjust for your income and location
A $500,000 net worth means different things in San Francisco and rural Ohio. Cost of living, housing costs, and local wages change what "on track" looks like.
Dual-income households accumulate faster than single-income households at the same per-person salary. Family size, childcare costs, and elder care obligations also shift what is realistic.
Compare yourself to your past self, not just national averages. Growing net worth 10–20% per year through savings and investment returns is a healthy trend regardless of where you start.
What to do if you are behind
Increase savings rate before chasing higher investment returns. Going from 10% to 20% savings rate has a bigger impact than picking a fund that outperforms by 1%.
Pay off high-interest debt. Credit card balances are negative net worth growing at 20%+ interest. Eliminating them is a guaranteed return.
Maximize employer 401(k) match and tax-advantaged accounts. Automate contributions so saving happens before spending.
Calculate and track your net worth
List your assets and liabilities to get your current number, then compare against age-based targets and your FIRE goal.
Use the net worth calculator for your snapshot, the investment growth calculator to project future net worth, and the FIRE calculator to see if you are on track for financial independence.