Are You 'Upper Class'? Here's The Net Worth You Need In Your 50s
"Upper class" is one of those terms that everyone seems to aspire to, but there's no clear, one-size-fits-all definition. While it often gets thrown around in conversations about wealth and success, it usually comes down to how you compare with others your age.
By most measures, "upper class" typically refers to households in the top 20%—whether by income or net worth.
For income, Pew Research sets the upper class income threshold at $169,800 for a three-person household in 2025. But income is just one piece of the puzzle. Your net worth—what you own minus what you owe—often tells a much fuller story.
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Net Worth Needed To Be Upper Class in Your 50s
According to the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, here's how net worth breaks down for people in their 50s aiming for the top 20%:
Ages 45 to 54: You'd need a net worth of at least $1.03 million to be in the top 20%.
Ages 55 to 64: That number rises to about $1.47 million.
Since the Federal Reserve groups ages by decades, someone around 50 would likely fall somewhere between these figures—closer to the middle, depending on whether you're early or late in the decade. And as you age, the bar naturally rises because assets like home equity and investments tend to grow over time.
Trending: Are you rich? Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.
What To Do If You're Playing Catch-Up in Your 50s
If your net worth isn't where you'd like it to be, the good news is that there are still plenty of ways to boost your financial standing in your 50s:
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