{"id":287516,"date":"2026-02-11T13:51:44","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:51:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?post_type=short-read&p=287516"},"modified":"2026-02-11T13:51:47","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:51:47","slug":"are-baby-boomers-wealthier-than-previous-generations-of-older-adults","status":"publish","type":"short-read","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2026\/02\/11\/are-baby-boomers-wealthier-than-previous-generations-of-older-adults\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Baby Boomers wealthier than previous generations of older adults?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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(yellowdog via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the oldest Baby Boomers turn 80<\/a> this year, many people are taking stock of how this generation has impacted American life<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One fact is clear: They\u2019ve accumulated more wealth<\/a> ($85 trillion by some accounts) than previous generations of older Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About this research<\/summary>\n

This Pew Research Center analysis examines whether Baby Boomers are the wealthiest generation of older Americans in history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why did we do this?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Pew Research Center<\/a> conducts high-quality research to inform the public, journalists and decision-makers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boomer households collectively own considerable wealth. But is that something unique about their generation, or is it just because they\u2019ve had more years to accumulate wealth? To answer that, we estimated the typical wealth of households headed by a Baby Boomer and compared it with earlier generations of older Americans. We also explored how the wealth of Boomers and previous generations of older adults varies by education level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did we do this?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The analysis uses the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) collected every three years by the Federal Reserve Board. The most recent SCF was in 2022. All dollar amounts are in 2024 dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SCF is considered the gold standard in measuring U.S. households\u2019 assets, liabilities and net worth. However, the SCF does not include defined benefit pension plans or the value of Social Security, which also affects older adults\u2019 finances. The present value of these annuities is not straightforward because valuing a future stream of income requires assumptions about discount rates and longevity. Defined benefit pension plans are not as widespread today as for earlier generations.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

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The median wealth of Baby Boomer households is higher than earlier generations of older adults<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Median wealth of U.S. households headed by 58- to 76-year-olds, in 2024 dollars<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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* 58- to 76-year-olds in these years were mostly members of these generations. This reference <\/a>provides more information on the generations.
Note: All figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Source: Pew Research Center analysis of the 1983, 2001 and 2022 Surveys of Consumer Finances.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
PEW RESEARCH CENTER<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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