Approximately 282,000 to 284,200 households in the United States have a net worth exceeding $20 million, according to data from 2025. These households fall within the ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) category, with over 225,000 individuals specifically identified as having UHNW status in the US, comprising 35.9% of that global population.
It's estimated that approximately 0.6% of Americans, about 1.8 million people, have a net worth of $20 million or more. This places them within the top 1% of net worth, with the minimum threshold for the top 1% currently around $13 million, according to Financial Samurai.
Generally, a liquid net worth of at least $1 million would make you a high net worth (HNW) individual. To reach a very high net worth status, you'd need a net worth of $5 million to $10 million. Individuals with a net worth of $30 million or more might qualify as ultra-high net worth.
If you're used to living on $100,000 per year, then you can absolutely live off the interest of $20,000,000. All you'd have to do is earn 1% on 20 million dollars and you would earn $200,000 a year, which is double the amount you'd need!
Nearly 6 percent have a net worth of over $10 million. Again, these people skew our average upward. The typical (median, or 50th percentile) millionaire household has a net worth of $1.6 million. * On average, our total annual realized income is less than 7 percent of our wealth.
With over 905,000 individuals holding a net worth of $10 million or more, the United States continues to top the list as the world's primary wealth creator. Currently ranking 4th globally with 86,000 super-rich individuals, India's HNI population is among the fastest -growing in the world.
Things You Can Do With $20 Million That You Can't With $1 Million
The 7-3-2 rule is a financial strategy for wealth building, suggesting it takes 7 years to save your first major financial goal (like a crore), then accelerating to achieve the next goal in 3 years, and the third goal in just 2 years, leveraging compounding and disciplined, increased investments (like a 10% annual SIP hike). It highlights how returns compound faster over time, drastically reducing the time needed for subsequent wealth targets, emphasizing patience and consistent, growing contributions.
Only a small fraction of Americans, around 1.8% of U.S. households, have $2 million or more saved in retirement accounts, according to analyses of Federal Reserve data by organizations like the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI). This puts them in a very elite group, as most people fall far short of this milestone, with far fewer reaching $3 million (around 0.8%).
Americans now believe it takes an average of $2.3 million to be considered wealthy. That's a 21% rise since 2021, reflecting the way inflation and soaring costs have changed perceptions of wealth.
9 Signs of Wealth to Look Out For
That's an increase of 2.5% from 2017. The number of ultra-high net worth households — those boasting assets of $5 million to $25 million — jumped 3.7% to about 1.4 million in 2018, while those with assets in excess of $25 million grew by 0.6% to 173,000, according to Spectrem's data. And this isn't a one-year blip.
About 90% of millionaires build wealth through long-term investing, often focusing on real estate, starting their own businesses, and making consistent, disciplined financial choices like budgeting, saving, and continuous self-education, rather than flashy spending, with a strong belief in controlling their own financial destiny. They prioritize tangible assets and income streams, using strategies like leverage and tax benefits, and avoid excessive spending on depreciating assets like luxury cars.
Examples of cash and cash equivalents that a millionaire or billionaire may hold include:
The terminal level, an ultra-high-net-worth individual (UHNWI, the ultra-rich, super-rich, extreme wealth, or a billionaire ), holds US$30 million in investable assets (adjusted for inflation). Individuals with a net worth of over US$1 billion are considered to occupy a special bracket of the UHNWI.
For a 70-year-old, average retirement savings vary significantly by source, but generally fall between $250,000 and over $600,000 (mean/average), while the median (half have less) is much lower, around $100,000 to $200,000, highlighting a wide gap due to high earners skewing averages. Key figures show the mean for ages 65-74 around $609,000, but the median for that group is closer to $200,000.
One common approach is to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) starting at age 73, which helps you avoid penalties and ensures a steady income stream. Another option is to roll over your 401(k) into an IRA, offering more flexibility and potentially better investment choices.
At its most basic, net worth is everything you own minus everything you owe. To calculate your net worth, tally the value of all or your assets, including bank accounts, investments, and perhaps the value of your home or vacation home.
So, let's break it down – how many Americans have a net worth of $1 million or more? According to the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances by the Federal Reserve, only about 12% of U.S. households have a net worth over $1 million. This means that the vast majority – 88% – are nowhere near that level.