Women to inherit $124 trillion in ‘great wealth transfer.’ Many aren’t ready

Women will be the biggest winners in the $124 trillion 'great wealth transfer' taking place through 2048, yet surveys show many women aren't prepared to inherit all that money.

About $54 trillion of the great wealth transfer is expected to first be passed through inter-spousal transfers to widows, of which more than 95% will go to women, consulting firm Cerulli Associates said. That'll help nearly double female-controlled assets to $34 trillion, representing about 38% of total U.S. assets, by 2030 consulting firm McKinsey forecasts. In 2023, women controlled about $18 trillion, or 34% of U.S. assets, McKinsey said.

Despite knowing a windfall is coming, most women are still unprepared to handle it. A 2025 Citizens survey of 1,500 adults showed 84% of women said they lacked confidence in their ability to manage an inheritance or other financial windfall, compared to 73% of men. Nearly half (45%) said they felt confused or overwhelmed — compared to just 27% of men — about managing their personal wealth, it said.

"In the great wealth transfer, a large part includes a dialogue about women," said Ami Doshi, director of business development at Hightower Signature Wealth. "Women outlive men, in general, and the wealth moves…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/money/