A $36T Great Wealth Transfer is coming — but not everyone will score a payday. How to make a modest inheritance count
A July 2026 Visa Business and Economic Insights report estimates that $36 trillion will pass from baby boomers to younger generations over the next 20 years, averaging about $515,000 per inheriting household. However, the transfer will be highly uneven, with nearly 75% of beneficiaries already having higher net worth, reinforcing existing wealth and racial inequalities. White households control over 80% of U.S. wealth, while Black households hold only 3.3%. Northwestern Mutual data shows fewer than 1 in 3 Americans plan to leave an inheritance, and the average inheritance is below $50,000. Financial experts advise that even modest inheritances ($1,000-$10,000) can be impactful if invested intentionally and allowed to grow over time. The article also notes that over a quarter of boomers are already sharing wealth with family while alive.
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