Are You on Track? A Real Talk Look at Money and Milestones

At some point, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Am I on track financially?” It’s a common question — and a tricky one. The truth? Being ‘on track’ depends far more on where you want to go than any national average or age-based milestone.

This post isn’t about telling you what to do. It’s about providing context — income, savings, net worth, and debt benchmarks by age in the U.S. Think of it as a map. Not one you follow blindly, but one you glance at to get your bearings. The goal isn’t to beat the average; it’s to build a life that aligns with your values.

Start With This: What Do You Actually Want?

Before we dive into the data, let’s pause on the bigger question: what are you working toward? Early retirement? Buying a business? Being home with your kids? The path that makes sense for you might look totally different than someone else’s — and that’s the point.

Income by Age: What’s Typical?

Here’s what U.S. household income looks like by age:

Savings Benchmarks: Are You Building?

Fidelity recommends saving 15% of your income annually (including employer match) to stay on pace for retirement. In practice, most Americans save closer to 11–12%, depending on access to 401(k)s or other plans.

Their savings milestones — again, just guidelines — look like this:

• Age 30: 1× salary saved
• Age 40: 3×
• Age 50: 6×
• Age 60: 8×
• Age 67: 10×

Net Worth by Age: The Bigger Picture

Net worth is the full snapshot — everything you own (cash, investments, real estate) minus everything you owe (loans, credit cards, mortgages).

Debt by Age: What’s Normal?

Debt isn’t automatically a bad thing — some forms (like mortgages or low-interest student loans) can be strategic.

How to Know If You’re On Track

After looking at all this, you might feel relieved — or a little behind. Either way, don’t lose sight of the main thing:

“On track” only matters when you know where you’re trying to go.

Maybe you’re not saving 15%, but you’re saving something consistently. Maybe your net worth is lower than average, but you’re funding a life you love. That’s a win. Conversely, having a strong financial profile on paper doesn’t mean much if it’s not connected to what you care about.

Use benchmarks as a check-in — not a verdict. If a number highlights a gap, use that to spark reflection. If you’re ahead, great — but stay focused. Either way, the question to keep asking is:

“Is this life I’m building in line with what really matters to me?”

If the answer is yes — you’re on track. And if the answer is no? That’s the beauty of personal finance. You can always change the track.