How much money should you have saved at each age?

There is no universal answer - but there are clear reference points. This article summarizes how wealth develops by age, which benchmarks are realistic, and how to assess your own financial position.

The following figures are based on general, publicly available average and median values from various studies. Exact values vary by source - where data is missing, I state this clearly.

Median wealth in Germany: What is realistic?

To understand how much money is typical at which age, it helps to look at the median wealth in Germany. The median is significantly lower than the average because a small number of very wealthy people heavily distort the average.

The average wealth in Germany is far higher than the median because large individual fortunes push the average upwards.

Example median values (rounded, depending on source; exact data varies):

• Ages 20–30: often below €20,000
• Ages 30–40: approx. €35,000–€55,000
• Ages 40–50: approx. €70,000–€100,000
• Ages 50–60: approx. €110,000–€150,000
• Ages 60+: approx. €150,000–€200,000

These figures are for orientation only - major differences arise from renting vs. owning property, children, regional income, career path or self-employment.

How much money should you have saved by 30, 40, 50 or 60?

These benchmarks are not strict requirements but typical reference points. They help you assess whether you are on track or whether adjustments may be needed.

At age 30

Many ask: “How much money should you have at 30?”

Realistic (depending on income):

• €10,000–€30,000 in savings if saving regularly
• higher if starting early in a high-income career field
• lower if your studies took longer or you started full-time work later

For planning your savings goal, the Finanzfluss savings calculator helps to model scenarios realistically (growth, return, savings rate).

At age 40

“How much money should you have at 40?” depends strongly on salary and family situation.

Reference:

• €40,000–€100,000
• homebuyers often have less liquid cash but higher net wealth

At age 50

“How much money should you have saved at 50?”
In many cases, realistic values are:

• €80,000–€150,000
• depending on debt, financial obligations and income

At age 60

“How much money should you have saved at 60?”
Values often lie around:

• €120,000–€200,000
• Goal: cushion for pension gap and unexpected expenses

How much emergency savings should you have in general?

Regardless of age, many experts (not exact rules) recommend:

• 3–6 months of income as an emergency fund
• kept liquid (savings account or bank account)
• separate from long-term investments

This is the typical framework for the question: “How much emergency savings should you have?”

How much should you save per month?

Note: This text is not financial advice, but general guidance only.

Common guidance in Germany:

• 10–20% of net income, if possible
• with lower income: every amount counts
• with higher income: 20–30% is realistic

Important: The savings rate depends heavily on lifestyle.

Building wealth by age: Practical steps

The question is not only how much you should have, but how you get there. Anyone who wants to increase their wealth long-term needs a clear structure.

Checklist for long-term wealth building

1. Secure an emergency fund (savings account).
2. Define a monthly savings rate.
3. Diversify investments (e.g., ETFs - not a recommendation, just a possibility).
4. Avoid major risks (no extreme loans).
5. Adjust the savings rate annually when income increases.

Tools like the Finanzfluss savings calculator or similar tools help create realistic target scenarios.

How to assess your own financial position?

If you want to find out where you stand compared to Germany, the following indicators are useful:

• median wealth (benchmark)
• wealth by age (official statistics)
• net wealth (assets minus debts)
• emergency savings ratio
• savings rate

A simple orientation:

• if you are above the median, you are already in a stronger position;
• if you are close to the average, you are within the normal range;
• if you are below it, that does not mean “wrong” - income, city, life path and starting conditions play huge roles.

The question “How much money should you have saved at each age?” cannot be answered with one single number. But realistic reference points help classify your wealth. What matters is not fixed amounts, but:

• regular saving,
• an emergency fund,
• controlled spending,
• long-term wealth building,
• and awareness of your own financial situation.

In conclusion, building wealth is always an individual process. Those who start early, save regularly and plan their finances with structure improve their long-term financial stability - regardless of whether they are above or below average values. What matters is assessing your own situation realistically and building up financial reserves step by step.