In 2025, the United States stands at a crossroads of unprecedented prosperity and evolving generational dynamics. Household wealth has climbed to record levels of household wealth, reshaping opportunities and responsibilities for families nationwide. As Baby Boomers approach retirement and Millennials and Gen Z forge their own paths, the dialogue around inheritance and legacy has never been more urgent.

The Landscape of Wealth in 2025

U.S. household wealth is estimated between $163 trillion and $167 trillion, with Americans aged 55 and older owning roughly 73% of that total. Since 1990, the share held by those over 60 has swelled from 56% to approximately 65%, reflecting a shift toward older households accumulating more assets later in life.

Within this concentration, the top 10% of earners now control over 70% of total wealth, underscoring how class and age intersect to shape financial power. Globally, wealth grew 4.6% in 2024, and North American adults now average over $593,000 in assets—yet the real story lies in how that wealth travels from one generation to the next.

This generational breakdown illustrates the magnitude of potential transfers in the coming decades. As older Americans seek to secure their legacies, younger cohorts prepare to inherit not just assets, but also the stewardship that comes with them.

The Great Wealth Transfer: A Moment of Opportunity

Over the next 20–25 years, more than $83 trillion is projected to move across generations. Of that sum, approximately $9 trillion will pass horizontally between spouses, while an estimated $74 trillion will flow to children, grandchildren, and other heirs. In the U.S. alone, the “Great Wealth Transfer” is expected to exceed $29 trillion.

This is more than a financial phenomenon—it’s a chance to projected intergenerational transfer surpassing $74T into meaningful, lasting change. Families and advisors must collaborate to ensure this transfer fosters opportunity, equity, and growth rather than reinforcing old divisions.

• United States: over $29 trillion destined for heirs
• Brazil: nearly $9 trillion in transfers
• Mainland China: more than $5 trillion shifting hands
• Other major economies globally contributing to the flow

Bridging the Generational Gap

Despite headlines about Millennials lagging behind, updated data from the St. Louis Fed reveals younger Americans now hold $1.23 for every $1 of wealth Gen X possessed at the same age, and $1.35 for every $1 Boomers held. This resilience amidst housing shortages and shifting markets demonstrates a new blueprint for wealth creation.

At the same time, homeownership remains a critical driver of intergenerational equity. While younger cohorts struggle with entry costs, older homeowners often choose to “age in place,” limiting supply and reinforcing price pressures. Addressing these imbalances requires both policy innovation and family-level strategies to unlock and redeploy home equity where it can do the most good.

Practical Strategies for Building and Passing On Wealth

To transform the coming transfers into engines of prosperity, families should adopt a holistic approach that combines financial tools with values-driven governance. Starting early and staying engaged creates momentum that compounds far beyond interest alone.

• Establish clear estate plans and start financial conversations early to align expectations
• Use trusts, gifts, and tax-efficient vehicles to preserve assets
• Implement diversified portfolios to build resilient portfolios with diversified assets
• Invest in heirs’ education and mentorship for long-term empowerment
• Incorporate philanthropy to foster a culture of financial stewardship

Cultivating a Lasting Legacy Beyond Money

Wealth alone does not guarantee fulfillment or impact. Truly enduring legacies are built on shared vision, open communication, and a commitment to uplift future generations. By embedding principles of responsibility and empathy alongside fiscal inheritance, families can ensure their affluence echoes positively for decades to come.

Whether through annual family councils, educational endowments, or collaborative investment clubs, the goal is to nurture long-lasting values alongside wealth. When young adults understand both the opportunity and the weight of their inheritance, they can steer resources toward innovation, community enrichment, and global well-being.

As the Great Wealth Transfer unfolds, each family decides how its story will be written. By combining empower future generations through education with sound financial frameworks, we can turn echoes of affluence into a symphony of progress, ensuring prosperity is not merely stored, but shared and multiplied across every corner of society.