What is a good net worth for my age in the UK?

There is no single 'good' number — it depends on your income, location, and circumstances. As a rough guide, median total wealth in the UK is around £50,000 for those in their 30s and rises to over £500,000 for those in their 60s, primarily driven by property and pension values. If your net worth is positive and growing year on year, you are heading in the right direction.

Should I include my student loan as a liability?

This is debatable. UK student loans (Plan 2 and Plan 5) work more like a graduate tax — repayments are income-contingent, interest does not compound in the traditional sense for most borrowers, and outstanding balances are written off after 30 or 40 years. Many financial planners exclude student loans from net worth calculations because you cannot accelerate repayment in a way that meaningfully changes your financial position. However, for a complete snapshot, you may choose to include it.

How often should I calculate my net worth?

Most financial planners recommend reviewing your net worth every 6 to 12 months. This is frequent enough to track meaningful progress without becoming obsessive over short-term market fluctuations. Recording your net worth at the same time each year — for example, at the start of the tax year in April — creates a useful annual benchmark.

Net Worth Calculator UK — Track Your Total Wealth | PocketWise

What Is Net Worth?

Your net worth is the difference between what you own (your assets) and what you owe (your liabilities). It is the single most comprehensive measure of your financial health — more useful than income alone, because it accounts for savings, investments, property, and debts all in one figure.

Net Worth = Total Assets − Total Liabilities

A positive net worth means you own more than you owe. A negative net worth — common in your twenties if you have student debt and no property — is not unusual and does not mean you are in financial trouble, as long as the trend is moving in the right direction.

Why Tracking Net Worth Matters

Your salary tells you how much money flows in each month, but your net worth tells you how much wealth you have actually built. Tracking it over time helps you:

Measure real progress — a pay rise means little if your debts are growing just as fast.
Stay motivated — watching the number climb, even slowly, reinforces good financial habits.
Spot problems early — a declining net worth may signal overspending, under-saving, or growing debt.
Plan for the future — retirement planning, property goals, and financial independence all depend on accumulated wealth, not just current income.

Common Assets to Include

When calculating your net worth, include the current market value of everything you own:

Property — your home’s estimated value (use recent sold prices on Rightmove or Zoopla as a guide).
Pension pots — check your workplace pension dashboard and any personal or SIPP pensions. Do not forget to include your State Pension entitlement if you are close to retirement.
ISAs — Cash ISAs, Stocks & Shares ISAs, and Lifetime ISAs.
Savings accounts — current balances across all banks and building societies.
Investments — general investment accounts, premium bonds, and any other holdings.
Vehicles — the current resale value of any cars, motorbikes, or other vehicles. Use guides like Auto Trader or Parkers for valuations.
Other valuables — jewellery, collectibles, or other items of significant value, though be conservative with estimates.

Common Liabilities to Include

Subtract everything you owe:

Mortgage balance — the outstanding capital on your home loan, not the original amount borrowed.
Credit card debt — the total balance across all cards.
Personal loans — any unsecured borrowing from banks or other lenders.
Student loans — the outstanding balance, though see the FAQ above for whether you should include this.
Car finance — PCP, HP, or personal contract hire balances.
Overdrafts — any used overdraft balance.
Other debts — money owed to family, buy-now-pay-later balances, or any other obligations.

Average Net Worth in the UK by Age

The following table shows approximate median total wealth (including property, pensions, financial assets, and physical wealth) by age group, based on data from the ONS Wealth and Assets Survey:

Age Group	Approximate Median Total Wealth
25–34	£50,000
35–44	£160,000
45–54	£340,000
55–64	£520,000
65–74	£540,000
75+	£400,000

These figures are heavily influenced by property ownership and pension values, which account for the vast majority of household wealth in the UK. The decline after age 74 typically reflects drawdown of pension savings and property downsizing.

It is worth noting that averages can be misleading — wealth distribution in the UK is highly skewed, with the wealthiest 10% of households holding around 43% of all wealth.

How to Increase Your Net Worth Over Time

Building net worth is a long-term endeavour. The most effective strategies include:

Pay down high-interest debt first — clearing credit card debt at 20%+ APR delivers a guaranteed “return” far higher than most investments.
Maximise pension contributions — employer matching is free money, and tax relief effectively boosts every pound you contribute. Use salary sacrifice where available.
Build an emergency fund — three to six months of essential expenses in an easy-access savings account protects you from taking on debt when unexpected costs arise. See our emergency fund guide.
Invest consistently — even small regular contributions into a Stocks & Shares ISA can grow substantially over time thanks to compound interest.
Live below your means — the gap between what you earn and what you spend is the single biggest driver of wealth accumulation. A solid budget makes this visible.
Increase your income — career progression, side income, or upskilling can accelerate wealth building, especially when the extra income is saved and invested rather than spent.