“High-net-worth” gets used loosely, but in the financial world it has fairly specific meaning. Understanding where you fall, and why it matters, can clarify the kind of planning your situation actually calls for.
The common thresholds
The most widely used definition counts investable assets rather than total wealth:
- High-net-worth individual (HNWI): $1 million or more in investable assets
- Very-high-net-worth: roughly $5 million to $30 million
- Ultra-high-net-worth: $30 million or more
These are conventions, not legal rules, and different institutions draw the lines slightly differently.
What “investable assets” means
Investable assets generally include cash, brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, and other liquid investments. They typically exclude your primary residence and personal property. That distinction matters: plenty of people are “house rich” without crossing the HNWI line on investable assets, and vice versa.
Why the planning changes
As investable wealth grows, so does complexity. Concentrated stock and equity compensation, multi-state or estate-tax exposure, charitable strategy, and tax-efficient withdrawal sequencing all become more consequential. The goal shifts from simply accumulating to coordinating, protecting, and transferring wealth efficiently. That’s the heart of true wealth management.
A fiduciary in your corner
Bellerophon Wealth Management is an independent, fee-only fiduciary in Charleston that works with high-earning professionals, executives, and business owners. We answer only to you, never to a commission. If your financial life has outgrown simple advice, let’s talk.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial, tax, or legal advice.