At what age are most people financially stable?
That said, the typical age of financial independence should be between 20-23 years old, according to a Bankrate survey. Break the numbers down by cost category, and differences of opinion can be pretty wide.
By the time you're 40, a majority of your financial struggles should be over. You may still be saving and planning for retirement, but you aren't entirely done yet. Just imagine, though! You have 20 years to catch up and prepare yourself for your retirement.
Older millennials, aged 35 to 44, are the least likely to say they feel “financially well,” according to Bank of America's 2023 Workplace Benefits Report, which surveyed more than 1,300 employees and 800 employers across the country. A full 80% report feeling stressed out by their financial situations.
Assessments vary considerably by age group. Two-thirds of those ages 30 to 34 say they are completely financially independent, compared with 44% of those ages 25 to 29 and just 16% of those ages 18 to 24.
When you are financially stable, you feel confident with your financial situation. You don't worry about paying your bills because you know you will have the funds. You are debt free, you have money saved for your future goals and you also have enough saved to cover emergencies.
That said, the typical age of financial independence should be between 20-23 years old, according to a Bankrate survey. Break the numbers down by cost category, and differences of opinion can be pretty wide.
A little less than 40% of Americans under 35 own a home as of 2022, per the latest Census data. On the other hand, Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 have the highest median net worth out of all age cohorts, increasing their net worth from a median of $308,800 to $409,900 over the same time period.
Having $20,000 in a savings account is a good starting point if you want to create a sizable emergency fund.
How much do Americans have in savings? Overall, Americans have a median of $5,300 and an average of $41,800 in savings, according to the Federal Reserve.
How much money does the average 25 year old have in the bank?
Average Savings by Age 25
The Federal Reserve doesn't provide a specific metric for savers in their 20s. Instead, it compiles data on savings and financial assets for Americans under 35. The Fed's most recent numbers show the average savings for the age group that includes 25-year-olds is $20,540.
By age 25, you should aim to have an emergency fund of 3-6 months of living expenses, and start regularly contributing to retirement savings to take advantage of compound interest over time, even if it's just small amounts.
Age | Income | Net Worth |
---|---|---|
20 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
25 | $35,000 | $87,500 |
30 | $50,000 | $150,000 |
50 | $55,000 | $275,000 |
Wealth as a Philosophy, Lifestyle and State of Mind
The two most measurable indicators that you're wealthier than most Americans are that you earn more than 50% of them and have more money saved than 50%.
Financial security is one of the most attractive traits to have in a partner, according to a survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Life Happens.
People who have enough money to meet their basic needs and to feel secure tend to be happier than those who do not. A financial plan allows clients to feel secure and in control of their financial future.
Being debt-free — including paying off your mortgage — by your mid-40s puts you on the early path toward success, O'Leary argued. It helps you free yourself from financial obligations at a time when your income is presumably stable and potentially even growing.
Many Americans Are Not Financially Independent Until Their Mid-30s. According to the Empower survey, the majority of financially independent Americans (92%) said they only started to feel that way once they reached the age of 36 — that's nearly two decades after reaching adulthood.
While we spend our whole lives making decisions about money, research has determined the specific age range when we make the smartest decisions about spending and saving. Fifty-four is the sweet spot, according to research from Australia's ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research.
1,821,745 Households in the United States Have Investment Portfolios Worth $3,000,000 or More.
What salary is considered rich for a single person?
Based on that figure, an annual income of $500,000 or more would make you rich. The Economic Policy Institute uses a different baseline to determine who constitutes the top 1% and the top 5%. For 2021, you're in the top 1% if you earn $819,324 or more each year. The top 5% of income earners make $335,891 per year.
$2.2 million
That's how much net worth an American needs to be considered wealthy in 2023, according to the Charles Schwab Modern Wealth Survey.
When your savings reaches $100,000, that's a milestone worth marking. In a world where 57% of Americans can't cover an unexpected $1,000 expense, having a six-figure savings account is commendable.
FDIC and NCUA insurance limits
This insurance protects your money if the financial institution you bank with goes out of business or otherwise can't afford to let you withdraw your money. So, regardless of any other factors, you generally shouldn't keep more than $250,000 in any insured deposit account.
Savings account balance | Percentage of respondents |
---|---|
$500 to $1,000 | 8% |
$1,001 to $5,000 | 22% |
$5,001 to $10,000 | 8% |
$10,000 to $20,000 | 7% |
References
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/09/help-family-members-trouble.asp
- https://arcadiawm.com/how-do-you-define-financial-success/
- https://www.quora.com/Is-it-superficial-to-want-a-relationship-where-the-other-person-is-financially-stable
- https://www.discover.com/personal-loans/resources/learn-about-personal-loans/what-is-financial-stability/
- https://www.bannerbank.com/financial-resources/blog/5-steps-to-help-you-recover-from-a-financial-setback
- https://www.chubb.com/th-en/articles/business/7-steps-to-financial-stability.html
- https://money.com/salary-needed-financial-security/
- https://medium.com/due/dark-truths-of-financial-independence-nobody-tells-you-eee23875ea5e
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2023/09/08/cost-of-happiness-by-country-cities/70771946007/
- https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2019/10/23/majority-of-americans-say-parents-are-doing-too-much-for-their-young-adult-children/
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/tips-for-becoming-financially-independent/
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-to-reset-your-finances/
- https://dfpi.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/337/2019/06/8_Tips_for_Financial_Success.pdf
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/what-is-financial-freedom-what-does-it-cost-and-do-you-really-need-to-have-it
- https://www.plansponsor.com/financial-stability-important-mate/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/am-50-years-old-no-144140491.html
- https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/articles/how-much-money-to-have-saved-for-retirement-by-age-50
- https://www.wallstreetmojo.com/financial-independence/
- https://www.empower.com/the-currency/life/average-net-worth-by-age
- https://www.creditkarma.com/about/commentary/americans-say-their-financial-situation-worsened-in-2023-what-will-2024-bring
- https://maps.org.uk/en/our-work/uk-strategy-for-financial-wellbeing/what-is-financial-wellbeing
- https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/15/fire-experts-on-retiring-early-becoming-financially-independent.html
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/personal-finance/articles/the-4-best-investments-people-in-their-50s-can-make/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-women-should-strive-financial-independence-rimsha-rasheed
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/richer-think-8-key-signs-200044689.html
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/why-you-should-track-spending/
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/how-to-help-someone-budget-their-money/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/chriscarosa/2023/07/14/the-point-you-become-financially-independent/
- https://slavic401k.com/boost-retirement-savings-with-the-1000-a-month-rule/
- https://propelle.io/blog/article/how-to-determine-your-financial-values/
- https://personalfinanceblogs.com/how-to-save-20000-in-2-years/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/28/americans-median-net-worth-by-age.html
- https://sprive.com/blog/amazing-things-you-can-do-if-you-re-financially-free/
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/08/ideal-net-worth.asp
- https://www.hdfcbank.com/personal/resources/learning-centre/invest/quick-guide-to-financial-independence
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/what-income-do-you-need-to-be-financially-stable-heres-what-most-americans-say
- https://www.foundit.in/career-advice/5-reasons-why-women-need-to-be-financially-independent/
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/112015/these-10-habits-will-help-you-reach-financial-freedom.asp
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/feeling-financially-insecure-10-money-150016782.html
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/average-savings-by-age/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/finding-purpose-meaning-life-after-50-pam-drzewiecki
- https://datacenter.aecf.org/data/tables/10278-median-family-income-by-family-type
- https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/top-tips/what-is-financial-anxiety/
- https://www.investopedia.com/how-to-retire-with-no-money-7505220
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-more-than-money-why-financial-well-being-alison-mattimore-apfs
- https://www.wikihow.com/Dating-a-Man-Who-Is-Not-Financially-Stable
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/20-000-good-amount-savings-160036732.html
- https://www.financialsamurai.com/how-does-it-feel-to-be-financially-independent/
- https://www.reuters.com/world/us/what-age-should-kids-become-financially-independent-2023-08-29/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/debt-free-by-age-45/
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/open-gently/202208/you-can-expect-be-happy-in-your-50s-and-60s
- https://www.goalry.com/blog/financial-milestones-based-on-age
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/signs-you-are-financially-stable/
- https://medium.com/@noelley/marrying-for-financial-stability-not-a-bad-thing-4b9e37a62690
- https://www.quora.com/When-do-you-stop-helping-someone-financially-because-it-seems-like-a-lost-cause
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/savings/average-savings-by-age/
- https://smartasset.com/retirement/10-steps-to-reach-financial-stability
- https://www.leemgt.com/blog/money-and-happiness-what-research-tells-us
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/american-economy-household-spending-higher-than-income-ap-norc-poll/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/income-financially-stable-most-americans-190012008.html
- https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/how-to-retire-early
- https://www.synchronybank.com/blog/how-to-become-financially-independent/
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/12/financial-success.asp
- https://www.unfcu.org/financial-wellness/50-30-20-rule/
- https://fortune.com/2023/10/03/older-millennials-most-financially-stressed/
- https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/stop-living-paycheck-to-paycheck
- https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2024/01/25/financial-help-and-independence-in-young-adulthood/
- https://www.lendingclub.com/resource-center/personal-savings/understanding-average-americans-savings-by-age
- https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/living-paycheck-to-paycheck-statistics/
- https://www.bankrate.com/retirement/retirement-saving-tips-for-50s/
- https://www.quora.com/Why-is-it-so-hard-to-become-financially-independent
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/how-to-achieve-financial-independence-in-10-years
- https://www.joshuakennon.com/1821745-households-in-the-united-states-have-investment-portfolios-worth-3000000-or-more/
- https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/1109/6-reasons-why-you-need-a-budget.aspx
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/5-things-you-shouldnt-do-when-your-savings-reaches-%24100000
- https://www.budgetcoachusa.com/blog/starting-over-at-50-and-broke
- https://www.hostmerchantservices.com/articles/financial-freedom-vs-financial-independence/
- https://verveacu.com/2020/10/13/what-to-say-to-someone-with-financial-problems/
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/research/average-savings-account-balance/
- https://www.credit.com/blog/average-savings-by-age/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_independence
- https://www.financestrategists.com/financial-advisor/financial-stability/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-much-is-too-much-money-for-a-high-yield-savings-account/
- https://americanspcc.org/how-to-survive-financially-as-a-single-mom/
- https://www.spaceship.com.au/learn/financial-habits-to-help-make-you-smarter-with-your-money/
- https://www.quora.com/Should-I-continue-dating-my-long-term-boyfriend-and-eventually-marry-him-even-though-he-is-financially-unstable
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/07/here-are-some-on-how-to-save-for-retirement-in-your-50s.html
- https://nomoredebts.org/blog/dealing-with-debt/3-ways-to-help-family-or-friends-in-financial-trouble
- https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/07/how-to-take-first-step-to-financial-independence-in-30-minutes-or-less.html
- https://smartasset.com/retirement/building-wealth-in-your-50s
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/financial-health.asp
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/retire-60-just-300-000-130017584.html
- https://www.unbiased.com/discover/retirement-investing/can-you-retire-on-500k
- https://financialfitnessgroup.com/understanding-financial-well-being-a-pathway-to-overall-happiness-and-success/
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/budgeting-tips-for-single-parents/
- https://investmentu.com/how-to-achieve-financial-freedom-in-5-years/
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2023/10/23/what-does-it-take-to-be-wealthy-in-america/71237797007/
- https://m.economictimes.com/wealth/personal-finance-news/eight-steps-you-can-take-to-achieve-financial-freedom-from-this-independence-day/articleshow/102740863.cms
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Single-Parent-Salary
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/income-level-considered-rich-140003986.html
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/most-americans-said-they-didnt-feel-financially-independent-until-this-age
- https://www.thebalancemoney.com/when-should-i-become-financially-independent-2385820
- https://moneywise.com/managing-money/budgeting/best-age-to-make-smart-money-decisions
- https://www.investopedia.com/how-to-become-financially-independent-from-parents-8401092
- https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/24/heres-how-long-it-takes-young-adults-to-reach-financial-independence.html
- https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/financial-freedom-survey/
- https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/poverty/4429552-less-than-half-young-adults-financially-independent-of-parents-pew-survey/
- https://www.westernsouthern.com/personal-finance/how-much-money-should-you-have-saved-by-25
- https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/how-much-money-saved-by-50-153932784.html
- https://thepoorswiss.com/reasons-why-financial-independence/
- https://www.fastcompany.com/90984577/salary-happiness-how-much-needed-millennials-gen-z
- https://www.ramseysolutions.com/retirement/what-is-financial-freedom
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/11-signs-youre-struggling-financially-and-3-ways-to-get-back-on-track
- https://hilio.com/en/blog/financial/financial-freedom