Net Worth by Age: What You Should Have at Every Stage

When we talk about net worth by age, the total value of your assets minus your debts at a given life stage. It's not about bragging rights—it's about knowing if you're on track to live without financial stress later. Most people guess wrong. They think a six-figure salary means they're rich. But if you owe $80,000 in student loans and a car payment, your net worth might be negative. That’s not rare. It’s normal—and it’s fixable.

Average net worth, the typical financial position for people in a certain age group varies wildly by country, income, and lifestyle. In the UK, someone in their 30s with a median income might have a net worth between £10,000 and £50,000. By 50, it should be closer to £200,000–£400,000 if you’ve been consistent. But averages lie. What matters is your personal trajectory. Are you building equity in your home? Are you putting money into a pension or ISA? Are you paying down debt faster than it grows? Those are the real questions.

Financial milestones, key benchmarks like owning a home, clearing student debt, or hitting a six-figure savings goal don’t happen by accident. They come from habits: saving 10% of every paycheck, avoiding lifestyle inflation, and choosing low-cost investments over flashy ones. You don’t need to be a millionaire by 40. You just need to be ahead of where you were last year. The biggest mistake? Waiting until you’re 45 to start. Compound growth doesn’t work if you wait too long.

Some people think net worth is just about money in the bank. It’s not. It’s about retirement savings, the funds set aside specifically to support you after you stop working. A £50,000 savings account means nothing if you’re 62 and have no pension. But £200,000 in a workplace pension with 5% annual growth? That’s a future. The posts below show you exactly what people in the UK are doing right—and wrong—at every age. You’ll see real numbers from real households, not theoretical models. You’ll learn how home equity, pension contributions, and debt load shape your true financial picture. And you’ll find out why waiting for the "right time" to save is the most expensive mistake you can make.