> the top 5% income in the Silicon Valley area, probably the highest cost of living area in the US, is over $500k That's household income, aged 35-64 (prime ea

> the top 5% income in the Silicon Valley area, probably the highest cost of living area in the US, is over $500k That's household income, aged 35-64 (prime earning years). For the same age, top 5% individual income is $332k. Top 5% individual income for ages 18-34 is $179k. Most couples earning $500k at ages 35-64 weren't likely earning that much earlier in their career, so it's hard to say retiring "very comfortably" by 40 would be the case.