It’s never too late to improve your credit score and reap the benefits.
The task can be more arduous at certain points in life — such as younger people who carry student loan debt. CBS News — with the help of Credit Karma — has broken down average credit score by age, and the options for improving a credit score.
We’ve added our advice and directed you to the parts of our Solution Center that can help you with your credit.
In your 20s
Average credit score: 635
What to do about it: Get a credit card without annual fees as soon as you can, which our Solutions Center’s Finding the Perfect Plastic page can help you do. “Ask Stacy: How Can I Get Credit Without Credit?” can also help.
Then, pay off the bills on time every month and get another card after a few months of responsibly managing the first one.
Having multiple cards builds up your “payment history” score category, which constitutes 35 percent of your FICO score.
In your 30s
Average credit score: 645 to 646
What to do about it: Continue paying off credit card bills on time every month and monitor your credit score carefully. In truth, this advice applies to your credit score at any age.
Don’t apply for any other credit for at least six months before applying for any big loans like a mortgage, Greg Lull — Credit Karma head of consumer insight — told CBS.
In your 40s
Average score: 648 to 657
What to do about it: If you’ve built up a couple of decades of credit history responsibly, consider refinancing higher-interest loans to secure a better rate. Our Solutions Center can help you find the best rate on loans like mortgages, car loans and personal loans.
In your 50s
Average score: 671 to 685
What to do about it: If you have multiple credit card accounts, focus on the one or two that offer the best cash back or rewards.
AS CBS reported today:
There’s no downside to leaving no-fee cards outstanding, but you have enough credit history that it’s not going to hurt you if you cancel a credit card or two that charges an annual fee.
In and beyond your 60s
Average score: 699 to 712 for consumers in their 60s, 728 for consumers in their late 70s
What to do about it: Resist the temptation to use your high credit score to take on more debt than you can afford. Chances are, you are in a situation where you are living off a decreasing income or limited retirement savings.
According to CBS: “Once you’re living on a fixed income from pensions, savings and Social Security, it’s a good idea to be paying down those debts.”
How does your credit score measure up to the average score for your age bracket? Let us know in a comment below or on our Facebook page.
Add a Comment
Our Policy: We welcome relevant and respectful comments in order to foster healthy and informative discussions. All other comments may be removed. Comments with links are automatically held for moderation.