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Chart of the Day: Wealthiest Population

John Keefer, Trust Investment Associate Mar 24, 2026
Dual line graphs, showing the change in people aged 70+ and their corresponding net worth, from 1989 to 2025.

Contents

Today's Chart of the Day comes from the Wall Street Journal article, "Over 65? Congratulations, You Own the Economy," and highlights population and wealth statistics for people aged 70 or older.
 
This group of Americans have quietly become the heavyweight champions of U.S. wealth. Even though people 70+ make up only about 12% of the population today, they now hold roughly a third of all household net worth, up from just 19% back in 1989.
 
A big reason is simply timing. Many bought homes and invested decades ago, and soaring asset prices have done the rest. Today, people in their 70s control close to 39% of all household stocks and mutual funds, far more than in the 2000s.
 
In simple terms, retirees didn’t just age—they grew into the wealthiest slice of America, benefiting from rising markets and financial stability that younger generations are trying to keep up with.
Chart of the Day

About the Author

John Keefer, Trust Investment Associate
John Keefer, Trust Investment Associate

John joined Crews Bank & Trust as a Trust Investment Associate in September 2025. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Finance and Banking from the University of Missouri, along with an Investment Certificate. In his role, he supports portfolio maintenance and analysis while helping clients work toward their financial goals.

Investments are not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by, the bank, are not FDIC insured, not insured by any federal government agency, and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal.

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