Average Net Worth Ages 65-74 — Where Do You Rank?
The median net worth for Americans ages 65-74 is $410,000 according to the Federal Reserve 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances. This is the peak net worth decade for most American households. For many, home equity is the primary asset, followed by retirement accounts. The distribution is highly unequal — the 90th percentile ($2.7 million) is more than 6x the median.
Net worth by percentile — ages 65-74
| Percentile | Net worth | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $14K | Top 90% |
| 25th | $107K | Top 75% |
| 50th Median | $410K | Top 50% |
| 75th | $1.1M | Top 25% |
| 90th | $2.7M | Top 10% |
| 95th | $3.7M | Top 5% |
| 99th | $8.3M | Top 1% |
Source: Federal Reserve 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances. Published October 2023. Methodology
Key finding
The median net worth peaks at ages 65-74 ($410,000) before declining slightly in the 75+ group ($335,000) as households draw down assets. Social Security income replaces portfolio withdrawals for many households in this range.
Calculate your percentile — ages 65-74
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Total assets (home equity, investments, retirement, savings) minus total debts (mortgage, loans, credit cards). Negative values are fine.
Net worth by age group
Frequently asked questions — ages 65-74
What is the average net worth at 65?
The median net worth for Americans ages 65-74 is $410,000 (Federal Reserve 2022 SCF). The 75th percentile is $1.1 million and the 90th percentile is $2.7 million. For households at the median, net worth is primarily composed of home equity (often 40-60% of total net worth) and retirement accounts. At 65, Social Security eligibility begins reducing the portfolio withdrawal rate needed.
Is $500,000 enough to retire at 65?
Using the 4% rule, $500,000 supports $20,000 per year in portfolio withdrawals. Combined with the average Social Security benefit ($18,000-$22,000 per year for someone retiring at 65), total income is approximately $38,000-$42,000 per year. Whether $500,000 is enough depends heavily on housing costs (paid-off home vs. renting), health care expenses, and desired lifestyle. $500,000 is at the 55th percentile of net worth for the 65-74 age group.
What percentage of 65-year-olds have over $1 million in net worth?
Based on the Federal Reserve 2022 SCF, approximately 25% of households with the primary earner ages 65-74 have a net worth above $1 million. The 75th percentile for this age group is $1.1 million. This includes home equity, retirement accounts, investments, and other assets minus all liabilities. It is important to note that much of this wealth may be illiquid (home equity) and not directly available for spending without downsizing.
Should I still be growing my net worth at 65?
It depends on your spending needs. If your Social Security plus portfolio income exceeds your expenses, your net worth may continue growing even in retirement. Many households at the 75th percentile and above find their net worth flat or increasing in early retirement because Social Security and required minimum distributions replace spending needs without fully drawing down the portfolio. Those at or below the median are more likely to see net worth decline gradually as they draw on assets.
About this data
All percentile data is sourced from the Federal Reserve 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), published October 2023. The SCF is the authoritative source for US household wealth data, conducted every three years. Net worth for ages 65-74 uses household-level data where the reference person falls in the 65-74 age range. The median net worth for this group is $410K. Full methodology →