$100,000 in savings is a common milestone that financial planners use to gauge long‑term wealth building. It marks a point where emergency funds, a down‑payment on a home, or a solid retirement buffer become realistic. Knowing how many people actually hit this target helps you benchmark your own progress and spot trends that shape advice from the industry.

Quick Takeaways

• About 13% of U.S. households have $100,000 or more in liquid savings as of Q2 2025.
• In Canada the figure is ~9%, in the UK ~7%, and in Australia ~6%.
• Age is the strongest predictor: 45‑64 year‑olds are twice as likely as those under 35 to hold $100k+.
• Higher education and household income above $125k boost the odds by three‑fold.
• Since 2010 the share of households with $100k+ has risen by roughly 4 percentage points, driven by wage growth and lower‑cost index funds.

How the data is collected

Two main sources shape the numbers you see below:

1. Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances - a triennial deep‑dive into assets, debts, and income for a representative sample of U.S. households.
2. U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey - which captures saving‑related questions annually and feeds into broader wealth estimates.

Both surveys ask respondents to report the total balance across checking, savings, money‑market, and short‑term investment accounts. The figures are then weighted to reflect national demographics.

Current percentages - United States and the Anglophone world

The United States leads thanks to a larger middle‑class population and broader access to low‑fee investment vehicles. Canada, the UK, and Australia lag slightly, reflecting higher housing‑cost burdens that squeeze liquid savings.

Demographic patterns that matter

Age, income, and education drive the odds of reaching the $100k benchmark. Here’s a snapshot of the U.S. picture based on the latest Federal Reserve data:

• Age 25‑34: only 4% have $100k+.
• Age 35‑44: 9% reach the milestone.
• Age 45‑64: 18% hold $100k+.
• Age 65+: 15% - retirement withdrawals start to dip into those savings.

Households earning above $125,000 annually are three times more likely to have $100k+ than those earning under $50,000. A bachelor’s degree adds roughly a 1.8× multiplier, while a graduate degree bumps it to about 2.4×.

Historical trends - where have we been?

Back in 2010, just 9% of U.S. households reported $100k+ in liquid savings. The share climbed steadily, hitting 11% in 2015, 12% in 2020, and the current 13% in 2025. Two forces explain the rise:

1. Broad‑market index funds shaved expense ratios to under 0.1%, letting savers keep more of their returns.
2. Real‑wage growth outpaced inflation in the early‑2020s, especially for tech and professional services.

However, the COVID‑19 pandemic caused a temporary dip in 2020 as many families tapped emergency funds. The rebound was swift because the same crisis spurred higher savings rates - the personal saving rate peaked at 33% in Q2 2020 before settling back to 7.5% in 2025.

What this means for your financial plan

Seeing that only about one in eight U.S. households has $100,000 in savings puts the goal into perspective. It’s a reachable target, but it isn’t automatic. Your plan should account for three key realities:

• Liquidity vs. growth: Keep emergency cash in high‑yield savings or money‑market accounts, then funnel extra funds into diversified index funds for growth.
• Time horizon: The average age of savers (45‑64) suggests a 15‑20‑year window to build the nest egg if you start in your 30s.
• Income ceiling: If your household income is under $75k, reaching $100k will likely require disciplined budgeting and side‑income streams.

Practical steps to hit 0,000

1. Set a clear target date. Use a simple calculator: desired amount ÷ months remaining = monthly savings goal.
2. Automate contributions. Direct‑deposit a fixed amount to a high‑yield savings account each payday.
3. Boost earnings. Freelance, upskill for a raise, or consider a part‑time gig that aligns with your career.
4. Trim discretionary spend. Track spending for 30 days, cut the bottom 10% of non‑essential categories, and redirect that cash.
5. Invest the surplus. Low‑cost total‑market index funds or ETFs typically beat savings accounts over 5‑year horizons.
6. Revisit annually. Adjust for salary changes, inflation, and life events (e.g., kids, home purchase).

Following these steps can shave years off the timeline-some calculators show a 25% faster path when you combine a 10% raise with a 5% investment return.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Leaving cash idle. Money sitting in a checking account loses purchasing power.
• Chasing high‑risk returns. Day‑trading or speculative crypto can erode your capital.
• Ignoring fees. Even a 0.5% annual fee on a $80k balance costs $400 each year.
• Under‑estimating taxes. Interest and dividend earnings are taxable; factor them into your net return.

Bottom line

Only about one‑eighth of households have reached the $100,000 threshold, but the trend is upward. By understanding the demographics, leveraging low‑cost investment tools, and staying disciplined, you can move from the 13% club into the 30%‑plus group that financial advisors aim for for a secure future.