The great Boomer hoard: Americans 55 and over hold $140 trillion, roughly three-quarters of total net worth

In the second quarter of 2026, roughly three-quarters of the nation's total net worth, amounting to nearly $140 trillion, was held by Americans aged 55 and over. This wealth boom was driven by the recent surge in equity markets, with technology stocks playing a crucial role, as reported by Goldman Sachs strategists. Boomers, who make up about 31% of the population, control roughly 75% of the nation's net worth, giving them considerable spending power in leisure categories like travel.

This demographic shift has been ongoing for decades, with the share of Americans over 60 increasing by almost 10 percentage points between 1995 and 2025, and projected to rise further to nearly 30% by 2055. While older consumers still have the potential to spend significant amounts, their financial stability could be at risk if they rely heavily on Social Security benefits, as many do.

The stock market's wealth effects have been concentrated among higher-income households, with the wealthiest 10% of boomer households controlling 71% of the generation's wealth in 2022.