Survey Reveals Americans' Views on Financial Success

A recent survey by Empower reveals that Americans believe an annual salary of $270,000 is necessary to be deemed financially successful, which is more than three times the median household income of $80,610. Overall, respondents indicated that a net worth of $5.3 million is the benchmark for financial success. Interestingly, only 37% of those surveyed consider themselves financially successful, while 58% believe achieving this status is possible within their lifetime. Younger generations, particularly Gen Z, set even higher expectations, claiming a salary of $587,797 is needed for success. Additionally, most Americans (59%) prioritize happiness over wealth as the key measure of success, with many emphasizing the importance of spending on experiences that bring joy. Despite the high salary expectations, nearly half (47%) feel they will never attain the level of success they desire.