A New Wealth Benchmark Finds Only 26% of U.S. Households Have Enough to Thrive
The Aspen Institute Financial Security Program’s Essential Wealth report argues that financial security cannot be measured by income and expenses alone: households also need savings and assets to absorb shocks, build for the future and make choices. Using 2022 data, the report estimates that 26% of U.S. households meet its essential-wealth threshold, while another 17% meet a lower threshold for emergent wealth. Aspen FSP presents the metric as a first version—a tool to identify gaps, not a solution to them—and argues that researchers, policymakers and institutions can use it to assess whether programs help families build wealth.
The Aspen Institute·Sep 24, 2026·12 min read
