Net worth by age: Where do you stand in 2026? (10 18 26)

Happy Sunday! Here’s what we’re covering in today’s Clark Smart Investing newsletter:

Net worth by age: Where do you stand in 2026?
6 ways to see the power of compound interest
Your portfolio is supposed to have bonds. Which bonds, exactly?
Q&A with Wes Moss: What is the best way to invest for a young grandchild?

💵 Net Worth by Age: Where Do You Stand in 2026?

How does your net worth compare with other American families your age?

The latest Federal Reserve data reveals some surprising shifts in household wealth, including a 23% drop in median net worth for families under 35 and a 37% jump for those 75 and older. Overall, the typical U.S. family’s median net worth barely budged, rising just 2% after adjusting for inflation.

Here’s what the numbers show for your age group and how to tell whether you’re on track.

Full Article: Net Worth by Age: Find Out Where You Stand

📚 Recommended Reading

The Power of Compound Interest in 6 Examples

Compound interest is the snowball effect where your returns make returns. Read about 6 eye-opening scenarios that prove why time in the market beats trying to time the market! Read more.

Your Portfolio Is Supposed to Have Bonds. Which Bonds, Exactly?

If you’re holding bonds just to be "safe," holding the wrong kind could mean missing out on returns or taking on unexpected risks — especially when interest rates and inflation shift. Here is how to audit your portfolio and make sure your bond allocation is actually doing its job. Read more.

Sponsor

Higher Interest Rates Aren’t All Bad. Here’s Why.

Rising rates often make headlines for increasing borrowing costs, but there's another side to the story. Higher yields on savings and fixed-income investments may create opportunities for investors seeking income. Here's what to consider.

💬 Ask an Advisor

Ask an Advisor

with Wes Moss

Email | Website

Each week, Wes Moss answers real reader questions on money, investing, and retirement. Wes is Chief Investment Strategist at Capital Investment Advisors and a fee-only financial advisor. He hosts a weekly Ask an Advisor segment with Christa DiBiase on the Clark Howard Podcast and YouTube channel.

This week's question

Robert in South Carolina asks:

"What is the best way to invest for a young grandchild?"

Wes's answer: The main issue with custodial retirement accounts like a Roth IRA is that a child technically needs earned income to contribute. That’s where a brand-new option comes in: the Trump accounts. You can put up to $5,000 per year into them without any earned income requirement during childhood. They essentially convert into IRAs once your grandchild turns 18, and ideally, they’ll keep that money invested in U.S. equities (during the growth period, investments are generally restricted to eligible index funds) and hold onto it until their sixties for retirement. While they aren't technically as favorable as a Roth IRA because withdrawals are taxed down the road, they attempt to solve the income hurdle so simply. That is where I would start.

529 plans are another potential option, though they are a bit more targeted toward qualified education expenses. The best feature of existing 529 plans now is their flexibility. If the account has been open for 15 years, you can typically convert up to $35,000 of unused funds directly into a Roth IRA if she gets scholarships or decides not to go to college.

Submit a question for Wes

New book from Wes Moss

Wes goes beyond traditional money advice to provide an easy-to-follow lifestyle blueprint that correlates to a 96 percent chance of lasting retirement happiness, based on his 2025 “Money and Happiness in America” study.

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✅ Poll: What’s Your Take?

Every week, we'll ask a new question to get your take on the latest financial trends and topics.

At what age did you seriously start saving or investing for retirement?

Last Week’s Poll Results

We asked: “What rate would it take for you to lock your money up in a 1- or 2-year CD?” Here’s how you answered:

At least 4% - (23%)
5% or more - (59%)
I'm not interested in CDs - (18%)

💸 Money Tip of the Week

❝

Set up a family code word: Scammers are using AI voice-cloning technology — taking just a few seconds of audio from a video or voicemail — to impersonate children, grandchildren, or relatives in distress requesting urgent money transfers. Establish a unique verbal family code word or safety phrase with your spouse, children, and elderly relatives. Instruct them that if anyone calls claiming to be in danger, in jail, or needing emergency funds, they must speak the secret code word before any money is sent.

☎ Need Money Help?

The Team Clark Consumer Action Center is a free helpline that can help you navigate your money questions. Call 636-492-5275. Visit clark.com/cac for more information.

This information is provided to you as a resource for informational purposes only and is not to be viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee offered that investment return, yield, or performance will be achieved. This information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Any company names shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. The views and opinions expressed are for educational purposes only as of the date of production/writing and may change without notice at any time based on numerous factors, such as market or other conditions. Always consult your own legal, tax, or investment advisor before making any investment/tax/estate/financial planning considerations or decisions.

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Net worth by age: Where do you stand in 2026? (10 18 26)