These 18 million households now rank as the richest in the U.S., new Fed data shows

October 9, 2026 / 5:13 PM EDT / CBS News

Sometimes the key to building wealth is just sticking around, new Federal Reserve data suggests.

The 18 million U.S. households headed by someone 75 or older have the highest median net worth of any age group, according to the Fed's triennial Survey of Consumer Finances. Americans in that demographic had a median net worth of $504,000 in 2025, according to the Fed's Survey of Consumer Finances.

The report assesses U.S. families' financial health, measuring wealth, income and liabilities such as credit card debt and student loans. All figures in the report are adjusted for inflation.

Families headed by someone 75 or older recorded both the largest increase in median net worth of any age group and the biggest income gains, with their median annual income rising 24% since 2022 to $67,000. The oldest Americans likely benefited from growth in their retirement assets, the Fed said.

Between 2022 and 2025, households headed by 65- to 74-year-olds saw their wealth increase by 37%.

The findings underscore how robust stock market gains over the last three years have boosted the wealth of many Americans. The S&P 500 gained about 78% between the end…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/moneywatch/