Mar 1, 2026
Whether you feel “wealthy” often depends less on a single number and more on context — your stage of life, your goals and what financial security looks like to you.
A net worth of $500,000 may sound like a major milestone — and for many households, it is. But averages vary widely by country and region. In Switzerland, for example, the average wealth per adult is about $687,000, according to UBS, while in Taiwan it’s closer to $312,000 (1).
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Similarly, $500,000 looks very different at age 25 than at age 60. Younger adults are typically earlier in their earning and investing years, while older adults have had more time for income growth and compounding to do the heavy lifting.
Looking at average net worth by age can offer useful perspective — not as a scorecard, but as a benchmark to help you gauge progress and set realistic goals. With that in mind, here’s what Empower’s latest report shows (2).
20s
If you’re in your 20s, you’re just getting started. Your career is probably nascent and you haven’t had enough time to enjoy the compounding effect of the capital markets. Because many people are just starting out, even modest savings can put you in a relatively strong position compared to national benchmarks.
According to Empower, the average net worth of a 20-something, as of January 2026, is $139,243. However, this figure is probably skewed by a few outperformers. Median net worth, which is a more fair measure, is significantly lower for this cohort. In 2026, it’s just $6,600. In other words, if you own a modest car that’s worth more than $7,000 and have little to no debt, you’re above the median for your age group.
Don’t underestimate the value of accumulating even modest wealth in your 20s. Every $1,000 you can save and invest in the market can be worth multiple times more by the time you retire simply because of long-term compounding.
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30s
All the skills and experience you gained in your 20s should start paying off in your 30s. For many people, earnings begin to accelerate in their 30s as experience and skills compound.
For many people, this income boost also coincides with relatively few expenses. Roughly 12% of people in this age group have a partner with a similar income and no kids, according to Pew Research (3). The report calls this group Dual-Income, No Kids or DINKs.
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For households without major expenses like childcare or a large mortgage, this stage can offer more flexibility to save and invest.
This is reflected in the big leap in net worth for this age group in Empower’s data. As of January, 2026, the average net worth for a 30-something adult is $325,952, while the median is $23,093. Both significantly higher than the previous age group.
40s
Your 40s are likely to be a period of financial squeeze. At the end of 2025, 40 was the typical age for a first-time homebuyer, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (4). That means many adults are dealing with an expensive mortgage for the first time at this age.
Considering the added costs of childcare and elder care for aging parents, it’s common for savings to slow during this phase as competing financial priorities pile up.
Fortunately, compound growth can offset the lack of contributions at this stage, which allows you to expand wealth despite the headwinds. The average net worth of someone in their 40s is $750,578, while the median is $68,698.
Read More: Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
50s
This final stretch of your career can make or break your retirement plans. According to Empower, the average 50-something adult is relatively well-set for a comfortable retirement with a net worth of $1,364,050.
However, the median net worth of $180,227 paints a strikingly different picture. The gap between average and median suggests many households are approaching retirement with more modest balances — which may require careful planning around Social Security, pensions and spending needs.
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Social Security benefits and pensions could cover some of the gap, but if you want to preserve a sense of financial security, it may be worth reviewing your savings strategy, tax planning and retirement timeline to close any gaps.
A robust plan, deployed with discipline, in your 50s can be a gamechanger.
60s and 70s
According to Empower’s data, Americans in their 60s and 70s are the wealthiest cohort, by both measures. The average net worth is $1,577,907 and $1,456,151, respectively, while the median net worth is $274,564 and $220,067 respectively.
If you’re in this age group and still earning an income with a seven-figure net worth, you’re in pretty good shape .If your savings don’t align with your retirement goals,, you may need to consider delaying retirement or making unconventional lifestyle changes (such as moving to another country) to live comfortably.
Averages can offer perspective, but your financial plan should be tailored to your goals, timeline and risk tolerance. If you’ve done that, you’re ahead of where many people start.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
UBS (1); Empower (2); Pew Research Center (3); National Association of Realtors (4)
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Vishesh Raisinghani is a financial journalist covering personal finance, investing and the global economy. He's also the founder of Sharpe Ascension Inc., a content marketing agency focused on investment firms. His work has appeared in Moneywise, Yahoo Finance!, Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha, Mergers & Acquisitions Magazine and Piggybank.
