I think I'm probably a good poster child for this. It's not just about income it's also about wealth. My household income puts me in the top 5% (my wife and i

I think I'm probably a good poster child for this. It's not just about income it's also about wealth. My household income puts me in the top 5% (my wife and i are engineers) but my wealth and savings barely puts me in the top 40% thanks to student loans, buying a house, having a kid, and short work history. So according to income I'm upper class. According to wealth I'm middle class. I don't think you can truly feel upper class until you fall in the top percentages in both. I think it falls under: - Upper class: you could retire today without impacting your lifestyle - Middle class: you will retire someday but you'll have to cut down on your lifestyle - Lower class: you will never retire unless you go on disability / welfare