Who Got Richer Since 2022?
Last Friday, the Federal Reserve released the results of its 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) , which takes a detailed snapshot of American households' finances every three years. And the big takeaway from this year's release is clear—older Americans got richer while younger Americans got poorer. From 2022-2025, the median net worth of households 75 and older went up 38%, while the median…
In 2025, the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances revealed a stark divide in wealth between older and younger Americans. Those aged 75 and above saw a 38% increase in median net worth, while the under-35 cohort experienced a 23% decline. Despite the headline figures, the underlying factors behind this disparity are more nuanced.
The wealth disparity extends beyond simple comparisons of total assets. Younger households, particularly those under 35, have become less likely to own homes, a key driver of wealth accumulation. The percentage of households under 35 owning a home dropped from 38.5% in 2022 to 35.6% in 2025. Younger renters, while seeing a slight increase in median net worth to $12,000, remain far behind homeowners who often possess assets around 15 times higher.
Retirement accounts and primary residences also saw significant gains among older Americans, contributing to their wealth increase. Meanwhile, younger households saw declines in housing wealth, vehicle ownership, and retirement assets. This suggests that factors like homeownership trends and access to retirement savings play a crucial role in shaping wealth disparities across age groups.
Written by urgent.news from Of Dollars and Data's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.