Here's the Net Worth Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Your 60s

Figuring out where you stand financially in your 60s can feel overwhelming, especially as retirement approaches and comparisons to your peers become more real. Your net worth—the value of everything you own minus what you owe—offers one of the clearest ways to measure your financial progress.

So, what net worth qualifies as middle class for people in their 60s?

What is considered middle-class net worth for 60-year-olds?

The median net worth of Americans between the ages of 60 and 64 is approximately $394,010, according to data sourced from the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances.

The average net worth of someone in that age bracket is $1,675,214, substantially higher due to the presence of high-net-worth individuals, who raise the average.

The median point provides a more accurate representation of the average American's net worth. To be considered "middle class," that would mean you fall into the middle 60% of the distribution.

What counts towards your net worth?

Remember that it's more than just your bank account that determines your overall net worth and financial health. It's also the accumulated assets that you've built up over the years, such as

Assets that boost net worth

• Home equity: For many Americans, their home is their biggest asset. Even if you still have a mortgage, the equity you've built contributes significantly to your net worth.
• Retirement accounts: Savings in 401(k)s, IRAs, and pensions often make up a large share of net worth in your 60s, especially for middle-class households. These accounts represent the majority of your income beyond Social Security.
• Savings and investments: Brokerage accounts, high-yield savings, or other investments contribute to your overall financial picture. While these accounts can fluctuate based on market conditions, they should comprise a substantial portion of your overall asset portfolio.
• Vehicles and personal property:
 While cars and other belongings depreciate, they still count toward your net worth. Some vehicles retain their value better than others, so keep that in mind when determining your next car purchase.

Liabilities that reduce net worth

• Remaining mortgage balance: Your mortgage can still represent a substantial liability later in life, so it's a good idea to keep up-to-date on your current balance and interest rate. Many lenders offer favorable deals on refinancing if the resident has been living in the house and making timely payments.
• Credit card debt: Americans love utilizing credit cards, much to their detriment. With interest rates on credit card balances usually hovering around 20%, things can spiral out of control quickly if you're not careful. Estimates now show Americans own a whopping $1.182 trillion in credit card debt, so it's best to avoid racking up charges unless you can pay them off in full.
• Personal loans or medical debt: Any other type of debt you incur will result in a negative hit to your net worth, so make sure you have a plan for paying them off. For medical debt, many companies offer interest-free monthly payment options.
• Outstanding auto loans: Car debt is another significant piece of consumer debt that can negatively impact your overall financial picture. This can be a double whammy if you're not careful and you take out a car loan to buy an overpriced vehicle that doesn't retain its value very well.

How your location impacts your net worth

Different areas of the country have varying costs of living, and depending on where you live, it can have a significant impact. For example, according to a study from SmartAsset, to be considered middle class in San Francisco, a household income of $84,478 to $253,460 is required, whereas in Cleveland, Ohio, the middle-class income range is closer to $26,025 to $78,082.

Are you on track for retirement?

Many financial experts recommend having at least 8 to 10 times your annual income saved by the time you reach your early 60s, typically around retirement age. If that's not where you're at, there's no cause for concern.

You can still be firmly in the middle class as you hit your retirement age, so long as you have minimal debts, substantial investments, and steady Social Security income.

Bottom line

The net worth of your household is one of the key factors when it comes to determining whether or not you're on track for a stress-free retirement. If you have a strong asset base and have minimal debt on your primary residence, you're in a good spot, even if you don't fall directly under the middle class range. Lowering your financial stress should be one of your top priorities as you approach your golden years.

Considering that owning a house accounted for more than one-quarter of Americans' net worth in 2022, homeownership remains the primary driver of net worth. As you approach retirement, consider selling your house and downsizing to a more affordable and manageable property. That way, you can cash out a significant portion of your accumulated equity and use it to cover other expenses once you stop working.

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Author Details

Andy Lindquist

Andy is a financially savvy writer for FinanceBuzz and an editor with over eight years of experience writing for digital publications. He is interested in how tiny lifestyle changes can add to huge savings after enough time and is a credit card connoisseur, having paid for many incredible experiences solely off credit card points.