Key takeaways
- A high-net-worth individual is typically defined as someone who has liquid assets of between $1 million and $5 million, although there's no firm definition of the amount as some institutions may define the range differently.
- High-net-worth individuals often bank with private banks or wealth management firms and may have access to additional services beyond banking and investing.
- Net worth is calculated by adding up assets and subtracting liabilities, and can include real estate and investment accounts.
- Becoming a high-net-worth individual takes hard work and smart financial management, but anyone can improve their financial standing through budgeting and saving strategies.
A high-net-worth individual, or HNWI, might be defined differently among certain financial institutions. But in all cases, a high-net-worth individual is someone with a large amount of wealth.
Typically, a high-net-worth individual has assets of between $1 million and $5 million. Those with multi-million dollar fortunes, generally assets of at least $30 million, are sometimes identified as ultra-HNWI (UHNWI). The term “net worth” factors in liquid or investable assets.
High-net-worth individuals often bank at a private bank or with a wealth management firm.
At both types of institutions, high-net-worth individuals may be offered additional services beyond banking and investing. These can include trust services and estate planning, often using a team approach.
How net worth is calculated
A person’s net worth is determined by adding the person’s assets and subtracting any liabilities.
Rick Zimmerman, former senior vice president of private banking and commercial lending at Capitol Bank in Madison, Wisconsin, now retired, notes that assets include:
Regarding real estate, the mortgage balance subtracted from the value of your home counts toward your net worth.
“In the investment world [a high-net-worth individual] generally refers to liquid assets,” says Pamela Chen, CPA, CFA, chief investment officer at Refresh Investments LLC in Santa Monica, California. “So it would be investment accounts and banking accounts.”
What are the benefits of being a high-net worth individual?
As a high-net-worth individual you might be able to get higher annual percentage yields (APYs) on your savings account. You’ll likely qualify for lower rates on loans and might have access to unique products or services. You might also have a representative and team that works with you.
HNWI key statistics
The 14th Global Wealth Report from UBS projects that global wealth will increase by more than a third (38 percent) in the next four years. (The report defines ultra-high-net-worth individuals as those with $50 million or more in liquid assets.)
Insights from this report include:
- Global wealth declined in 2022. It’s the first reduction in global wealth since 2008.
- The report projects there will be 86 million millionaires and 372,000 UHNWIs by 2027.
How do you become a high-net-worth individual?
Becoming a high-net-worth individual could take many years. In most cases, hard work, saving and investing play a significant role.
Or under the right circ*mstances, such as these, it could almost happen overnight.
- Inheritance
- Winning the lottery or other prize
- Life insurance
- Winning a lawsuit
- Getting married
- Selling a business
- Capital gain
- Earning a very high salary or bonus
While most people likely won’t be considered high-net-worth individuals, just about anyone can use smart budgeting and saving strategies to improve their financial status over time.
Bottom Line
In today’s society, high-net-worth individuals are generally defined as those with a net worth of between $1 million and $5 million, and often have access to financial services beyond traditional banking and investing services at commercial banks and credit unions. In most cases, becoming a high-net-worth individual takes hard work, saving and smart financial management, but with determination and the right circ*mstances, it’s possible. While not everyone may reach this status, anyone can improve their financial standing through various budgeting and saving strategies.
FAQs
Typically, a high-net-worth individual has assets of between $1 million and $5 million. Those with multi-million dollar fortunes, generally assets of at least $30 million, are sometimes identified as ultra-HNWI (UHNWI). The term “net worth” factors in liquid or investable assets.
What qualifies as a high-net-worth individual? ›
A high-net-worth individual (HWNI) is an individual who generally has liquid assets of at least $1 million after accounting for their liabilities. 1 The term HNWI is commonly used within the financial industry to identify individuals who need tailored financial and money management services.
What is a high-net-worth individual wealth? ›
Definition. High-net-worth individual (HNWI) references individuals who maintain liquid assets at or above a certain threshold. Typically, these individuals are defined as holding financial assets (excluding their primary residence) with a value over US$1 million.
What is a high-net-worth individual requirement? ›
Eligibility Thresholds: The financial eligibility thresholds to rely on the HNWI exemption are increasing to require the individual to have an income of at least £170,000 and net assets of at least £430,000 throughout the last financial year (the figures currently being £100,000 and £250,000 respectively).
What is a high-net-worth individual stats? ›
As of 2021, there were around 22.5 million high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) worldwide, defined as individuals whose net worth totals over one million U.S. dollars. Net worth takes into consideration an individual's financial assets invested in a variety of classes, such as property, land, stocks, bonds, etc.
What is the net worth of the top 2% of Americans? ›
Top 2% wealth: The top 2% of Americans have a net worth of about $2.472 million, aligning closely with the surveyed perception of wealth. Top 5% wealth: The next tier, the top 5%, has a net worth of around $1.03 million. Top 10% wealth: The top 10% of the population has a net worth of approximately $854,900.
At what net worth are you considered rich? ›
According to Schwab's 2023 Modern Wealth Survey, Americans perceive an average net worth of $2.2 million as wealthy. Knight Frank's research indicates that a net worth of $4.4 million is required to be in the top 1% in America, a figure much higher than in countries like Japan, the U.K. and Australia.
What net worth puts you in the top 5%? ›
The most recent data from the Fed's Survey of Consumer Finances took a snapshot of the American public at the end of 2022. At that point, a net worth of $3,795,000 was enough to put you in the top 5% of all American households. If that number has your head spinning, there are some important details you should consider.
What net worth puts you in the top 1%? ›
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
- People with the top 1% of net worth in the U.S. in 2022 had $10,815,000 in net worth.
- The top 2% had a net worth of $2,472,000.
- The top 5% had $1,030,000.
- The top 10% had $854,900.
- The top 50% had $522,210.
A high-net-worth individual is typically defined as someone who has liquid assets of between $1 million and $5 million, although there's no firm definition of the amount as some institutions may define the range differently.
Net worth is the difference between the values of your assets and liabilities. The average American net worth is $1,063,700, as of 2022. Net worth averages increase with age from $183,500 for those 35 and under to $1,794,600 for those 65 to 74. Net worth, however, tends to drop for those 75 and older.
What is the limit for high net worth individuals? ›
High-net-worth individuals (HNIs) are wealthy individuals occupying financially privileged positions in society. In India, HNIs are those with investable assets of over Rs. 5 crore. HNIs need to invest and must have a long-term vision.
How much net worth is a qualified person? ›
On 17 June 2021, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) issued an order to: (i) increase the net worth threshold for “qualified clients” under Rule 205-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act), from US$2.1 million to US$2.2 million; and (ii) increase the dollar amount of ...
How much money is considered a high-net-worth individual? ›
A high net worth individual (HNWI) is someone with $1 million or more in investable assets, including cash or cash equivalents. HNWIs may rely on specialized financial services like wealth managers or private banks for money management, estate planning, investment guidance, and tax management.
What is the average age of high net worth individuals? ›
The average age of ultra-high net worth individuals is 63 while the average age for all high net worth individuals is 58. Interestingly, however, some countries are home to much older and much younger ultra-wealthy people and wealth manager.
How do you date a high-net-worth individual? ›
After 20 years of matchmaking, here are my rules for dating and marrying an ultra-wealthy person:
- Have your own set of accomplishments. ...
- Be prepared to sign an NDA. ...
- You may need to be discreet. ...
- Have your own personal life. ...
- Be flexible. ...
- Stay grounded. ...
- Have a prenuptial agreement.
The wealth of U.S. households by income tier. There is a wide gulf between the wealth of lower- and upper-income U.S. households. In 2021, the typical upper-income household had a median net worth of $803,400. This was 33 times as much as the wealth of the typical lower-income household ($24,500).
What is the net worth of the upper 1%? ›
In the U.S., it may take you $5.81 million to be in the top 1%, but it takes a minimum net worth of $30 million to be considered among the ultra-high net worth crowd. As of the end of 2023, this ultra-high net worth population is on the rise, reaching 626,000 globally, up from just over 600,000 a year earlier.
What is a good net worth for a person? ›
Net worth is the difference between the values of your assets and liabilities. The average American net worth is $1,063,700, as of 2022. Net worth averages increase with age from $183,500 for those 35 and under to $1,794,600 for those 65 to 74. Net worth, however, tends to drop for those 75 and older.
What salary is considered rich for a single person? ›
Based on that figure, an annual income of $500,000 or more would make you rich. The Economic Policy Institute uses a different baseline to determine who constitutes the top 1% and the top 5%. For 2021, you're in the top 1% if you earn $819,324 or more each year. The top 5% of income earners make $335,891 per year.
