US wealth gap widens: seniors hold record equity share

The wealth gap between older and younger Americans has reached a historic high in terms of equity ownership. Americans aged 70 and older now hold a record 17% of all US equities and mutual fund shares outstanding, a percentage that has tripled since its low point after the 2008 Financial Crisis. At the same time, Americans under 40 own a significantly smaller share, highlighting a stark generational divide in financial assets. This trend underscores deepening economic inequality and its implications for long-term financial security across age groups.