WASHINGTON (Realist English). Members of Generation X — those currently aged 45 to 60 — are expected to benefit from a historic transfer of wealth over the next ten years, according to a new report by Cerulli Associates. As baby boomers pass on, Gen Xers are projected to inherit $1.4 trillion annually, marking the largest near-term gain of any generation.
While millennials will ultimately inherit the most — around $45.6 trillion over the next 25 years — it is Gen X that will lead the wave of intergenerational transfers in the 2020s and early 2030s.
“The boomers really have created more wealth than any other generation in U.S. history,” said Bradley Schurman, author of The Super Age, in comments to Yahoo Finance. “And younger Gen Xers and early millennials are going to be the ones that get the first wave of this from their parents.”
This anticipated influx of wealth has also sparked growing interest in financial tools tailored for inheritance planning. Robo-advisors, such as those offered by Vanguard, provide cost-effective investment management with features like tax optimization and automated portfolio rebalancing. For example, Vanguard charges $15 annually for every $10,000 invested through its basic robo-advisor, and $30 for access to a hybrid model including human financial guidance.
Still, experts warn that artificial intelligence tools, while useful, are no substitute for emotional and strategic retirement counseling. “AI offers a great starting point, but it doesn’t have the emotional intelligence needed to assist individuals in the long run,” Schurman said.
As the “forgotten generation” enters the final stage of their careers, the coming inheritance wave could significantly reshape their retirement landscape — assuming, analysts note, that financial literacy and planning keep pace.
