How much does it take to be considered wealthy in America and why most people should delay claiming

Social Security?

You're listening to the Saturday personal finance edition of Motley Full Money.

I'm Robert Brokamp, and this week we speak with Dr. Michael Finca about the recent trend of Americans claiming Social Security earlier and why most economists think that's probably not a good idea.

But first, let's start with our last week in money segment.

So I have a question for you. What net worth does someone need to be considered financially comfortable and what net worth makes someone wealthy? Schwab asked those questions and

it's recently published Modern Wealth Survey. And the average responses to those questions were

that to be considered comfortable, it takes a net worth of $839,000, and to be wealthy, you

need $2.3 million.

I first heard about this survey from USA Today journalist Daniel DeVise, who asked for my take

for an article that he wrote on the survey.

And here's what I said.

There's no right number for every single person, of course.

What really matters is that if you could meet the four criteria for financial well-being

as laid out by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and they are, number one, having control

over day-to-day and month-to-month finances, number two, having the capacity to absorb a financial shock. Number three,

being on track to meet your financial goals. And number four, having the financial freedom to make

the choices that allow you to enjoy life. If you meet all those criteria, I'd say you're comfortable.

And if you're significantly exceeding them, perhaps by being well ahead

in terms of meeting your financial goals, then I think you could consider yourself wealthy.

For our next item, I have another question for you. Which country's stock market is performing

the best so far in 2025? Did you say Poland or Greece? Well, you're right. I'll accept either answer, because

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