The Great Wealth Transfer Reality Check: $36 Trillion vs $93 Trillion
While baby boomers hold $93 trillion in assets, Visa Business and Economic Insights reveals only $36 trillion will actually pass to heirs after debts, taxes, and retirement costs. This transfer is highly uneven, with affluent households retaining most wealth, meaning the impact on consumer spending will be far smaller than headline figures suggest.
Imagine you are sitting on a winning lottery ticket. You hit the jackpot, but you immediately lose half by—smartly—taking the lump sum. Next, you lose another 30–40 percent through taxes and fees.