Key benchmarks in one place — average net worth, savings, retirement balances, contribution limits, credit card debt, and savings rates. All sourced from the Federal Reserve, Vanguard, and Experian.
Sources: Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances 2022 · Vanguard How America Saves 2023 · Experian State of Credit 2024 · IRS 2026 contribution limits · FDIC national savings rate · TopMoneyApps editorial research
$39KMedian net worth under 35
$8KMedian savings balance, all ages
$91KAvg 401(k) balance, ages 35–44
$23,5002026 401(k) contribution limit
$9,600Avg credit card debt, Gen X
4.20%Best HYSA APY (Wealthfront)
💰 Average Net Worth by Age
Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, 2022 · Full breakdown →
Age Group
Median Net Worth
Mean Net Worth
Fidelity Benchmark
Under 35
$39,000
$183,500
1× salary
35–44
$135,600
$549,600
3× salary
45–54
$247,200
$975,800
6× salary
55–64
$364,500
$1,566,900
8× salary
65–74
$409,900
$1,794,600
10× salary
75+
$335,600
$1,624,100
—
Why median vs. mean? The mean (average) is dramatically skewed by billionaires and centimillionaires. The median — the exact middle — is the more useful benchmark for most Americans. For 55–64 year-olds, the median is $364,500 while the mean is $1,566,900 — a 4× gap driven entirely by extreme wealth concentration.
🏦 Average Savings Balance by Age
Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, 2022 (median transaction account balances) · Full breakdown →
Age Group
Median Balance
3-Month Emergency Fund Target
6-Month Emergency Fund Target
Under 35
$5,400
$7,500–$12,000
$15,000–$24,000
35–44
$7,500
$9,000–$15,000
$18,000–$30,000
45–54
$8,700
$9,000–$15,000
$18,000–$30,000
55–64
$9,300
$9,000–$15,000
$18,000–$30,000
65–74
$12,000
$7,500–$12,000
$15,000–$24,000
75+
$11,000
$6,000–$9,000
$12,000–$18,000
National average savings rate: 0.39% APY. The best high-yield savings accounts pay 4.00–4.20% APY — more than 10× the national average. On a $10,000 balance, that's the difference between $39/year and $420/year in interest. There's no reason to keep emergency savings in a traditional savings account. Use our Emergency Fund Calculator to find your target.
📈 Average Retirement Savings by Age
Vanguard "How America Saves" 2023 (average 401(k) balances) · Full breakdown →
Age Group
Avg 401(k) Balance
Fidelity Benchmark
Gap at $75K Salary
Under 25
$7,351
—
—
25–34
$37,557
1× salary ($75K)
−$37,443
35–44
$91,281
3× salary ($225K)
−$133,719
45–54
$168,646
6× salary ($450K)
−$281,354
55–64
$244,750
8× salary ($600K)
−$355,250
65+
$272,588
10× salary ($750K)
−$477,412
The 4% rule: To generate $60,000/year in retirement income, you need approximately $1.5 million saved ($60,000 ÷ 0.04). Most Americans are significantly behind these benchmarks — catching up requires maximizing contributions and investing in low-cost index funds. The 2026 401(k) limit is $23,500, with a super catch-up of $11,250 for ages 60–63.
📋 2026 Retirement Contribution Limits
IRS 2026 limits, including SECURE 2.0 super catch-up · Full breakdown →
$23,500
401(k) / 403(b) employee limit
Standard contribution
$31,000
401(k) with catch-up (age 50–59, 64+)
+$7,500 catch-up
$34,750
401(k) super catch-up (age 60–63)
SECURE 2.0 +$11,250
$7,000
IRA (Traditional + Roth combined)
$8,000 if age 50+
$4,300
HSA — self-only coverage
+$1,000 if age 55+
$8,550
HSA — family coverage
+$1,000 if age 55+
$3,300
FSA (Flexible Spending Account)
Use-it-or-lose-it
$70,000
SEP-IRA (self-employed)
Or 25% of compensation
Roth IRA income limits 2026: Single filers phase out at $150,000–$165,000 MAGI. Married filing jointly phases out at $236,000–$246,000. Above these limits, use the backdoor Roth IRA strategy via a non-deductible Traditional IRA conversion.
The real cost of minimum payments: The average Gen X balance of $9,600 at 21% APR, paying minimum payments of ~2% of the balance, takes 47 years to pay off and costs $23,400+ in total interest — the original $9,600 debt ends up costing $33,000. Paying a fixed $300/month instead pays it off in 43 months with only $3,100 in interest. Use our Debt Payoff Calculator to run your own numbers.
🏆 Best Savings Rates — April 2026
Rates change frequently. Verified as of April 13, 2026.
High-Yield Savings Accounts
Wealthfront Cash Account
Up to $8M FDIC via partner banks · Best for investors
4.20%
Ally Bank
No fees · No minimum · Best all-around
4.00%
Amex High Yield Savings
No fees · No minimum · Amex ecosystem
3.90%
SoFi
3.80% with direct deposit · Banking + investing combo
3.80%
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
No fees · No minimum
3.65%
National Average (traditional banks)
FDIC data, April 2026
0.39%
Best CD Rates (1-Year)
Bread Savings
1-year CD · FDIC insured · Fixed rate
4.25%
Ally No-Penalty CD
Withdraw after 6 days with no penalty
4.00%
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
1-year CD · FDIC insured
4.00%
Synchrony
1-year CD · FDIC insured
4.00%
CD vs. HYSA in 2026: Top 1-year CD rates (4.25%) are only slightly above the best HYSAs (4.20%). The CD wins if you're confident you won't need the money for the term and want rate certainty. The HYSA wins if you need liquidity. See our full HYSA guide and CD rates guide.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average net worth by age in the US in 2026?
Federal Reserve 2022 SCF median figures: under 35 — $39,000; 35–44 — $135,600; 45–54 — $247,200; 55–64 — $364,500; 65–74 — $409,900; 75+ — $335,600. Mean figures are 4–5× higher due to wealth concentration at the top. Median is the better benchmark for most Americans. See the full breakdown.
How much should I have saved for retirement at 40?
Fidelity recommends 3× your annual salary by age 40. On a $75,000 salary, that's $225,000. The average 401(k) balance for 35–44 year-olds is $91,281 — well below the benchmark for most workers. If you're behind, maximizing your 401(k) ($23,500 in 2026) and opening a Roth IRA ($7,000) gives you $30,500/year in tax-advantaged savings to close the gap.
What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?
The 2026 401(k) employee contribution limit is $23,500. Workers aged 50–59 and 64+ can add a $7,500 catch-up for a $31,000 total. Under SECURE 2.0, workers aged 60–63 have a special super catch-up of $11,250, bringing their max to $34,750. The IRA limit is $7,000 ($8,000 if 50+). See the full 2026 limits guide.
What is the average credit card debt by generation?
From Experian 2025–2026: Gen Z — $3,493; Millennials — $6,961; Gen X — $9,600 (highest); Baby Boomers — $7,038; Silent Generation — $3,445. The average credit card APR is approximately 21–22%, meaning even a moderate balance generates thousands in annual interest. See credit card debt by age and use the Debt Payoff Calculator to see your payoff timeline.
What is the best high-yield savings rate right now?
As of April 2026, the top HYSA rates are: Wealthfront Cash 4.20%, Ally 4.00%, Amex 3.90%, SoFi 3.80%, Marcus 3.65%. The national average is 0.39%. All are FDIC insured up to $250,000 (Wealthfront up to $8M via partner banks). See our full HYSA rankings.
How much do I need in an emergency fund?
The standard recommendation is 3–6 months of essential living expenses in liquid savings. A single-income household or freelancer should target 6 months; a stable dual-income household can maintain 3 months. At the national average savings rate of 0.39%, you're losing real value to inflation — keep your emergency fund in a high-yield savings account earning 4%+. Use our Emergency Fund Calculator to find your exact target.