Are you behind financially at 50? New numbers reveal how much Americans actually have

New figures from the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances reveal a growing wealth disparity among Americans, with older and wealthier households accumulating more assets, while younger Americans are struggling financially. In 2025, Americans aged 45 to 54 had an average inflation-adjusted net worth of $1.24 million, marking the largest increase among age groups.

Those aged 55 to 74 held an average of $1.88 million, and individuals 75 and older, with an average of $1.96 million, experienced a 10% growth in wealth over three years.

In contrast, younger Americans, particularly those under 35, saw their net worth plummet by 33% from 2022 to 2025. In 2022, this age group held an average of $200,800, but by 2025, it had dropped to $135,400. Meanwhile, individuals aged 35 to 44 saw their average net worth rise by 13% to $682,000 in 2025.

The survey highlights a widening wealth gap in the U.S. from 2022 to 2025, with real median net worth increasing by 2% and real mean net worth surging by over three times that amount. Wealth inequality is reinforced by family characteristics, with younger families, renters, and those without college degrees experiencing a decline in median and sometimes mean wealth. On the other hand, wealthier and older families saw substantial gains across mean and median wealth.

In terms of income, the median household income rose by 7% to $82,200 between 2022 and 2025, compared to a 6% drop in mean household income, from $155,300 in 2021 to $145,200 in 2024. This income distribution narrowing suggests that income inequality is improving during the same period of wealth accumulation.