Americans 75 and Older Now Wealthiest Age Group, Federal Reserve Survey Finds
The survey highlights how recent stock market gains have disproportionately benefited older, wealthier families, while younger households saw their wealth decrease.
Families headed by individuals aged 75 and older have emerged as the wealthiest in the United States, buoyed by consistent gains in the stock market, according to a Federal Reserve report released Friday. Conversely, the youngest households experienced a decline in wealth over the past three years.
The Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances, conducted every three years, indicates that robust stock market performance has further enriched the wealthiest American families since the previous survey in 2022. The median net worth for the top tenth of American families surged by 31% between 2022 and 2025, reaching $3.6 million.
While the survey noted broad increases in income, even after accounting for inflation, which slightly narrowed income inequality, a concerning trend emerged: the proportion of Americans facing difficulties with high debt payments and falling behind on payments increased. This indicates the significant impact of heightened inflation on lower-income households.
The findings underscore a widening wealth gap, with older, established families benefiting significantly from market performance, while younger generations grapple with economic pressures.