U.S. wealth breakdown: who holds the trillions and why should I care?

The money game: who’s really winning?

Ever wonder where all the money in the U.S. is actually going?

Who controls the trillions flowing through the markets? 💰

More importantly—how does that impact you?

The truth is, wealth isn’t evenly distributed—but understanding how the financial industry works can put you in control.

Whether you're a billionaire with a team of advisors or just getting started with your first 401(k), one thing is certain: money moves differently at every level—and knowing where you stand can help you make smarter financial decisions.

Let’s break it down. 👇

What is AUM, and why does it matter?

Assets under management (AUM) refers to the total market value of all the investments managed by an individual, financial institution, or investment firm on behalf of clients.

It’s a big deal in the financial world—because it determines who gets access to what kinds of investment opportunities, advisors, and financial strategies.

For financial advisors, banks, and investment firms, AUM dictates fee structures, investment strategies, and overall market influence. The higher your AUM, the more personalized (and often expensive) your financial services become.

Why understanding AUM and wealth management matters

Here’s the reality: the financial industry is built to serve those who understand it.

If you don’t know how the system works, you’re probably paying hidden fees, missing out on opportunities, or leaving money on the table.

Understanding AUM distribution and how different wealth segments invest can help you:

✔️ Make better investment decisions—align your strategy with your financial position.
✔️ Catch hidden fees—know when you’re overpaying for underperformance.
✔️ Stay ahead of the game—use the same wealth-building insights as the pros.

So—where do you fit in?

Let’s break down who holds the wealth in the U.S. and what that means for you.

Ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs)

💎 Who are they?
These are the financial titans—individuals with at least $30 million in investable assets.

💰 How much do they control?
An estimated $9-11 trillion in AUM.

📈 How do they invest?
UHNWIs invest in:

• Private equity

  
  

• Hedge funds

  
  

• Real estate

  
  

• Direct business investments

  
  

• Complex financial instruments

Most use family offices and private banks to manage their fortunes.

What they need to monitor

UHNWIs must track investment performance across multiple advisors, analyze risk exposure, and ensure their wealth managers are delivering results. They also need big-picture clarity to understand their global asset allocation.

How Truthifi helps

UHNWIs can use Truthifi’s Map to get a real-time, interactive view of their entire financial ecosystem, across multiple asset classes, managers, and strategies. This helps them monitor whether their advisors are aligned with their goals, track performance trends across private and public investments, and easily spot concentration risks. (Learn more)

High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs)

🧐 Who qualifies?
Individuals with $1 million to $30 million in investable assets.

💰 Total AUM?
An estimated $20-25 trillion.

📊 How do they invest?
HNWIs typically hold:

• Stocks & bonds

  
  

• Mutual funds & ETFs

  
  

• Real estate

  
  

• Alternative investments

Many work with wealth management firms or private banks.

What they need to monitor

HNWIs need to track their advisor’s performance, ensure portfolio diversification, and evaluate fees versus returns to confirm their investment strategy is working effectively.

How Truthifi helps

HNWIs can use Truthifi’s Score to evaluate the real performance of their investments and advisors. This feature provides transparent, data-driven insights on whether their advisor is adding value or underperforming the market. It also helps them identify hidden fees that could be eroding their returns. (Learn more)

Mass affluent investors

💵 Who are they?
Individuals with $100,000 to $1 million in investable assets.

💰 Total AUM?
Roughly $7-10 trillion.

📈 Where do they invest?

• Mutual funds

  
  

• ETFs

  
  

• 401(k) plans

  
  

• IRAs

What they need to monitor

Mass affluent investors must ensure their portfolio is properly diversified, track investment performance versus fees, and confirm they’re maximizing tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s.

How Truthifi helps

Truthifi’s Map allows mass affluent investors to visualize their investments across multiple accounts, including 401(k)s, IRAs, and brokerage accounts. By grouping assets by advisor, goal, or tax status, users can easily spot gaps in diversification, track performance trends, and ensure they are not overpaying in fees. (Learn more)

Retail investors (the broad market)

🛒 Who are they?
Anyone with less than $100,000 in investable assets.

💰 Total AUM?
Estimated at $2-4 trillion.

📊 How do they invest?

• Mutual funds

  
  

• ETFs

  
  

• IRAs & 401(k) accounts

What they need to monitor

Retail investors should track their contribution levels, keep investment expenses low, and avoid common investing mistakes like emotional decision-making and over-trading.

How Truthifi helps

Retail investors can use Truthifi’s Statement feature to consolidate and track all their accounts in one place. By offering a clear, real-time view of their financial holdings, Truthifi helps users avoid unnecessary fees, see where they need to contribute more, and make better-informed investing decisions. (Learn more)

Institutional investors: the market movers

🏦 Who are they?
This category includes:

• Pension funds

  
  

• Insurance companies

  
  

• Endowments

  
  

• Foundations

💰 Total AUM?
A staggering $30-40 trillion!

📊 How do they invest?

• Equities

  
  

• Fixed income

  
  

• Real estate

  
  

• Private equity

  
  

• Alternative investments

What they need to monitor

Institutional investors must track multiple investment managers, risk exposure, and fund performance across asset classes while ensuring regulatory compliance.

How Truthifi helps

Truthifi’s Map feature provides institutional investors with a customizable, data-rich view of all their investments across managers, asset classes, and risk levels. This allows them to compare advisor performance, identify inefficiencies, and optimize portfolio allocations with ease. (Learn more)

Retirement accounts: the long-term giants

👵 What are they?
These include all 401(k)s, IRAs, and similar retirement savings accounts.

💰 Total AUM?
A whopping $35-40 trillion.

📊 How are they invested?

• Mutual funds

  
  

• ETFs

  
  

• Bonds

  
  

• Company stock

What they need to monitor

Retirement investors must ensure they’re contributing enough, track investment performance, and minimize fees that can eat away at long-term growth.

How Truthifi helps

Truthifi’s Score feature helps retirement investors assess the quality of their investments and advisors. It provides an easy-to-understand evaluation of how well their 401(k) and IRA investments are performing while flagging hidden fees that may be cutting into their future wealth. (Learn more)

The financial industry is built to serve you—no matter your AUM

Whether you’re managing billions or just getting started with your first investment account, one thing is clear: the financial industry is designed to serve investors at every level.

• If you're an ultra-high-net-worth investor – Family offices, hedge funds, and private wealth managers cater to your complex needs.

  
  

• If you're a high-net-worth investor – Elite financial advisors and tax strategies help optimize your portfolio.

  
  

• If you're mass affluent – Robo-advisors, index funds, and financial planners make wealth-building accessible.

  
  

• If you're a retail investor – Low-cost ETFs, 401(k)s, and commission-free trading platforms give you the power to grow.

No matter your AUM, you deserve transparency, clarity, and control over your financial future—and that's exactly what Truthifi delivers.

Truthifi helps you take charge of your wealth

💡 Need a clear picture of your portfolio? The Map feature visualizes all your investments and advisors.
📊 Wondering if your advisor is delivering results? The Score feature tells you whether they’re worth the fees.
📄 Tired of tracking multiple accounts manually? The Statement feature consolidates your holdings for easy review.

Your money should work for you—not the other way around. No matter how much you have invested, Truthifi puts the power of financial intelligence in your hands so you can make informed, confident decisions.