TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In today's unstable economic circumstances where job opportunities are limited, comparing the average net worth by age might give a clearer insight into one’s position among peers. Whether you’re richer than people of your age or not depends on multiple reasons like income, investments, debts as well as property ownership.
In this article, we’ll discuss thoroughly the average net worth by age including ways to increase the number as cited from Forbes, Nerdwallet, and Yahoo Finance.
What is Net Worth?
According to Investopedia, net worth is a financial concept that counts the value of assets an individual owns minus the liabilities they owe. In its nature, net worth can be either positive or negative where positive net worth means the value of assets is more than the liabilities.
To calculate your net worth, one can start by deducting the value of all the liabilities including loans, mortgages, and accounts payable (AP) from the value of their assets which sum up property ownership and the money in your retirement accounts.
Exp: (Residence value + investments + value of other assets) - (Mortgage balances + loans + debts).
Why is Net Worth Important?
Net worth depicts the quality of an individual’s financial conditions, offering insights into both financial flexibility and concern. When someone has a positive net worth, they are bound to grant access to financial freedom. Contrarily, low net worth will likely get individuals into trouble if they plan to submit a loan admission.
Average Net Worth by Age
The following discussion showcases the average net worth by age of Americans according to the data published by retirement plan administrator Empower.
Net Worth by Age 20s
The average net worth of Americans in their 20s is counted at $104,878 with a median of $7,467. As a fresher within the workspace, this group of people is expected to have less financial stability. Mounting debts, possibly due to student loans, might exceed the annual salary.
While many people in their 20s still struggle to afford the decent lifestyle they dream, of this is the perfect time to start cultivating the values of financial responsibility. Once the loan becomes more lenient, you can venture into the investments of cash savings and retirement accounts monthly.
Net Worth by Age 30s
In the United States, the average net worth by age 30 is recorded at $292,609 and the median shows some $35,435. With a slightly higher net worth than your 20s, your career path is more defined with more intangible income potential.
In your 30s, it’s not uncommon to reduce the overall net worth due to a homeownership. On the flip note, you should be able to save 15% of your income to retirement accounts.
Net Worth by Age 40s
People in their 40s living in the United States have an average net worth of $740,646, almost three times higher than the previous age group, demonstrating a larger leverage of both their income and homeownership.
Although the median figure is greater than the first two age brackets, it should no longer be seen as a breakpoint. By this age, a comprehensive retirement plan should have been established.
Net Worth by Age 50s
The average net worth by age 50 and older in the United States is estimated to be $1,345,922 with a median of $290,271. However, many people in their 50s are grappling with financial issues of tuition bills for their kids as well as medical expenses from their parents. That’s why practicing a steady lifestyle is always advisable to promise a comfortable retirement phase.
How to increase your net worth?
As there are multiple inevitable factors tied to your net worth, expanding income might become one of the propitious ways to score bigger. Taken from NerdWallet, below are some tips you can apply to increase your net worth.
1. Increase your income
If the money from your main job doesn’t cut your loan and living expenses, consider getting a few side hustles. You can also broaden your expertise to negotiate your current salary or look for a higher-paying job.
2. Practice debt strategy
It’s always daunting to pay off the mounting debts, especially if the interest rates keep on growing bigger over time. To avoid such circumstances, NerdWallet recommends people sort out debts with the highest interests first.
3. Saving and investing
Store your cash into automatic savings with competitive account interest rates and other retirement accounts to increase your net worth. Once you gain financial stability, ensure to have some investments going to help you build wealth.
Understanding the average net worth by age allows you to look into your financial health and progress. While the numbers might vary due to factors like income, debt, and investments, what truly matters is taking proactive steps to improve your financial standing. For larger job opportunities, check out the high-income skills to learn here.
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