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The Average Net Worth of Americans at 75, And The 4 Assets Separating the Comfortable From the Struggling

Set yourself up for a comfortable retirement with the right assets.

By Josh Koebert , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated July 4, 2026

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For Americans, the average net worth by age typically peaks in your 60s and begins to decline in your 70s. Age 75 is a particularly revealing retirement benchmark. By this age, you might already be able to tell where you stand financially based on the results of decades of working, saving, investing, and planning for retirement.

Below is a look at the average net worth of comfortable 75-year-olds and the assets they hold.

Editor's note: All data comes from the Federal Reserve, unless otherwise stated.

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The average and median net worth of Americans at 75

The mean net worth of 75-year-old Americans is $1,624,100. That may sound like a lot. The median net worth for 75-year-olds, on the other hand, is $335,600.

Both the average and median net worth of retirees in this demographic have risen drastically since 2019. This might be attributed to the growth in the value of assets such as homes and stocks.

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Why the huge difference between the average and median net worth values?

The average is calculated by summing the net worths of individuals in the 75-year-old age group and then dividing the total by the number of participants. Because the tally includes ultra-wealthy Americans, the average figure is typically skewed upward.

For the median, experts line up all net worth figures from lowest to highest and find the midpoint. The median provides a more accurate representation because it limits the impact of the super-rich.

When net worth peaks and dips

Americans aged 65 to 74 have average and median net worths of $1,794,600 and $409,900, respectively. That means net worth peaks in the mid-60s and dips in the mid-70s.

Empower suggests this might be the case because people focus on accumulating assets in their 60s. Wealth begins to dip in the mid-70s as Americans withdraw from their portfolios to support their livelihoods and cover rising health care costs.

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How to calculate your net worth

To calculate your net worth, add up all your assets and subtract any liabilities. Assets include cash, health savings accounts, retirement accounts, money market funds, government bonds, prepaid debit cards, home equity, life insurance policies with cash value, and income-generating properties.

Your liabilities, on the other hand, are any outstanding debt, such as credit card balances, mortgages, and installment loans.

The 4 defining assets for retirees

The gap between high- and low-net-worth individuals results from their asset holdings. Americans with multiple high-value assets and minimal liabilities might be able to enjoy a more comfortable retirement than those with fewer holdings.

Below is a look at some particularly impactful assets that separate the comfortable from the struggling in their mid-70s.

Delayed Social Security benefits

While most 75-year-old Americans do receive Social Security benefits, not all checks are equal. People who delay their retirement till age 70 typically receive higher benefits than those with the same earnings history who retire at age 62 or 67. Here's the average benefit at different retirement ages:

62: $1,424.40 per month
67: $2,016.48 per month
70: $2,274.68 per month

The $850.28 difference between early and late retirement benefits could determine your quality of life.

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Retirement accounts

Retirement accounts such as IRAs and 401(k)s provide income beyond Social Security. However, according to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances, only 42% of people aged 75 and older have retirement accounts.

The accounts have a median value of $130,000 and a mean value of $462,410. These figures might translate to several hundred or thousands of dollars per month, which, while not much, could help you manage inflation and unexpected costs.

Home equity

According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, the median home equity for people aged 65 and over was $250,000 in 2022 (the most recent data available).

Home equity matters because it serves as a reserve asset that owners could sell or borrow against to meet their needs. It also protects retirees from rent inflation, which could allow them to live more comfortable lifestyles.

Investments

Comfortable retirees typically have diversified investment portfolios outside their retirement accounts. These accounts might include financial assets such as stocks, directly held bonds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). With median values of directly held stocks and bonds among 75-year-olds at $100,000 and $236,000, respectively, such investments could be a significant source of supplemental income.

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Can you grow your net worth at 75?

Yes, just because you're 75 or are close to that age and haven't hit the $335,600 mark doesn't mean you can't. You could grow your net worth by doing the following:

Reduce your liabilities: Pay off high-interest debts such as credit card balances. Also consider downsizing to a smaller property if your home is high-maintenance.
Create a low-risk investment portfolio: Recovering from high-risk investments at 75 might be difficult. So focus on conservative assets such as bonds.
Generate extra income: Take on part-time freelance work that aligns with your professional experience.

Bottom line

Your net worth at 75 is the result of decades of financial decisions. While you might be unable to correct them overnight, you could improve your current situation if you start investing in the right avenues.

Consider using your professional experience for additional income, restructuring your investment portfolio to focus on capital preservation and interest generation, growing your home equity, and reducing your debt levels.

FAQs

Is Social Security included in net worth?

No, net worth calculations, including the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances, generally leave out future Social Security benefits because there's no legal claim to that money the way there is to a bank account or an investment. Social Security still matters for your monthly income in retirement, but it isn't counted as an asset on your balance sheet.

Is net worth the same as retirement savings?

No, net worth includes everything you own minus everything you owe, such as home equity, vehicles, and life insurance cash value, not just money set aside for retirement. Retirement account balances are only one piece of that larger picture, so it's possible to have solid retirement savings but a lower overall net worth if you carry significant debt, or the reverse.

Is it normal to have a negative net worth?

It's more common than most people realize. An analysis of Federal Reserve data found that about 10.4% of U.S. households, or roughly 13 million, have a negative net worth, meaning their debts outweigh their assets. This shows up most often among younger adults carrying student loans or new homeowners with large mortgages, and it tends to improve over time as debt gets paid down and assets grow.

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