AnswerAt age 60 with $25k income, the median US net worth is $8,000. The 75th percentile is $44,000. You can see where you rank below.
Median: $8,000 · 75th percentile: $44,000
Source: Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, 2025 data (released Oct 2026), computed from public microdata
Am I behind at age 60 on $25k?
Median net worth for US households age 60 earning $25k is $8,000; top 10% starts at $145,000. Computed from the Federal Reserve's 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances.
A household around age 60 in the lowest income band (about $25,000 or less) has a median net worth of $8,000 in SCF 2025, with the 25th percentile at $1,000 and the 75th at $44,000. That is a small fraction of the $411,000 median for all 55-64 households, so Social Security timing and health coverage matter far more here than portfolio returns.
Your numbers
Peer group: age 55 to 64 · under $25,000Your $8,000 ranks ahead of 50% of US households age 55 to 64 earning under $25,000.
Another $137,000 in net worth would put you in the top 10% for your peer group.
How this number is calculated
We look up your age and income in the Federal Reserve's 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances (the most recent SCF, released Oct 2026), then interpolate your position between 25th/50th/75th/90th/99th percentile breakpoints for that age×income cell. The Fed does not publish those cells, so we compute them from its public microdata. Figures are in 2025 USD, and cells with few sampled families are noisy. Households with similar age and income show meaningful net-worth variance — the percentile reflects how your balance sheet compares to theirs, not to the full US population.
What these numbers mean for age 60, $25k
Age 60 falls in the 55-64 bracket, and these figures describe that whole bracket in the lowest income band; younger people in it tend to sit lower and older people higher. The cell is based on a small sample, so the numbers are approximate, especially the upper percentiles. At the median, net worth is only 0.3x a year of income, against the common Fidelity-style guideline of roughly 8x income by 60. The 90th percentile ($145,000) shows that a minority hold much more, but most households here have very little saved. That reflects how hard it is to build assets on a low income, not a personal failing.
Without much savings, Social Security is likely to be the main retirement income, so the claiming decision carries a lot of weight. Claiming at 62 instead of the full retirement age of 67 cuts the monthly benefit by about 30 percent for life, and it lowers any survivor benefit too. Every extra year of paid work also shortens the stretch that has to be covered. Part-time work, even for a few more years, can matter more than any investment choice. If a health condition limits work, it is worth asking about disability benefits before filing for early retirement.
The five years before Medicare at 65 are usually the hardest to plan. At very low incomes, Medicaid may be available in states that expanded it (roughly $22,000 a year for a single adult), and marketplace plans offer income-based subsidies whose rules can change from year to year, so check current terms at healthcare.gov. At 65, programs such as Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help with drug costs and, for those who qualify, SSI can reduce costs. Looking up your own benefit estimate on ssa.gov is a free first step.
Benchmarks for age 60, $25k
Source: Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, 2025 (released October 9, 2026); cells computed from public microdata. Figures in 2025 USD. Cells built on fewer than about 100 sampled families are noisy. Your seeded percentile if net worth equals the median for this cell: 50th.
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Frequently asked questions
Is $8,000 a normal net worth at 60 on a low income?
In this SCF 2025 cell, yes: $8,000 is the median, so about half of comparable households hold less and half more. It is far below the $411,000 median for all 55-64 households. The cell is a small sample, so treat the exact figures as approximate.
Should I claim Social Security at 62 if I have almost no savings?
Claiming at 62 gives a benefit about 30 percent lower than at 67, permanently. If you cannot work or bridge the gap, early claiming may still be necessary, and that is a legitimate choice. If you can work part-time or lean on other support, each year of delay raises the check. Check your own estimate on ssa.gov.
How do I get health insurance from 60 to 65 on a low income?
Start with Medicaid if your state expanded it and your income is low enough, then compare marketplace plans, where subsidies depend on income and current law. A spouse's employer plan or COBRA after a job loss are other routes. Check the details on healthcare.gov or with your state Medicaid office.
Can I still save for retirement at 60 on a low income?
Yes, if you have earned income. For 2026 the IRA limit is $7,500, plus a $1,100 catch-up at 50 and older. As an illustration only, saving $200 a month for five years at an assumed 7 percent real return grows to about $14,000, from $12,000 contributed. It will not replace a large gap, but it is real money.
Will SSI or Medicaid limit how much I can save?
Yes. SSI has strict resource limits, generally $2,000 for one person and $3,000 for a couple, though a home and one car are usually excluded. Medicaid limits vary by state. If you rely on either, ask the agency before opening accounts or accepting gifts.
Can I get Social Security on a spouse's record?
Possibly. A spouse can receive up to half of the worker's full-retirement-age benefit, reduced if claimed early, once the worker has filed. A divorced spouse can qualify if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and they are currently unmarried. After a death, the survivor can receive the larger of the two benefits.
Methodology & data sources
Calculations on this page use benchmarks from US federal statistical agencies. Percentile breakpoints are interpolated linearly between tabulated cells. Figures are in the dollars of each dataset's reference year unless noted. Numbers are educational estimates, not personalized financial advice.
Net worth figures come from the Federal Reserve SCF 2025 (2025 dollars). Age medians match the Fed's published tables; the age × income cells are computed from the public microdata, and cells with fewer than about 100 sampled families are noisy. Full methodology.