These 18 million households now rank as America's richest
The smallest age group in the U.S. is also the richest, with a 37% jump in net worth over the last three years — far higher than any other group.
New Federal Reserve data reveals that 18 million U.S. households led by individuals 75 or older possess the highest median net worth among age groups, with $504,000 in 2025. These seniors experienced the most significant median net worth increase and income gains over the past three years, likely due to robust retirement assets.
The S&P 500 rose by 78% during this period, contributing to wealth growth. However, the financial situation for many Americans worsened, with 20% of households falling behind on debt repayments in 2025, up from 13% in 2022. This rise may be attributed to persistent inflation since the pandemic. Younger families, particularly those headed by individuals under 35, experienced a decline in median net worth, losing 23% between 2022 and 2025, largely due to reduced business equity gains.
Written by urgent.news from CBS News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
