GENERATIONAL WEALTH GAP

The Generational Wealth Gap

How Boomers Have It All and Millennials Have Debt

The Numbers

Wealth by Generation (2024)

When Boomers were Millennials' age: They owned 21% of US wealth

Asset Ownership

Retirement savings: Average Boomer $200K+, average Millennial $60K

Net worth at 35: Boomers $94K (1990), Millennials $48K (2020) inflation-adjusted

How It Happened

Economic Inheritance

Defined benefit pensions: Retirement guaranteed

Social contract: One income supported family, bought house, saved for retirement

The Pulling Up of Ladders

Healthcare costs: Exploded, consuming wage gains

Compounding Disadvantage

Inheritance concentration: Boomer wealth passes to fewer, wealthier heirs

Economic shocks: 2008 crisis hit Millennials entering workforce, pandemic hit prime earning years

The Political Economy

Meritocracy myth: "I earned it" ignores structural advantages

Generational conflict: Boomers see criticism as ingratitude, Millennials see gaslighting

AIP Solution: Universal Capital Ownership

Stability Accounts Bridge the Gap

Ownership class: Everyone becomes capitalist, not just Boomers

How It Helps Current Generations

Gen Alpha+: Full $25K seed, 65 years of growth

Productivity sharing: +160% wage growth over 30 years benefits working generations

Universal healthcare: No longer tied to jobs Boomers have and young workers don't

Political Framing

For Young Voters

"The system was rigged before you were born. AIP doesn't blame anyone—it fixes the structure so your generation gets a fair shot."

For Older Voters

"Your grandchildren deserve the same opportunities you had. Stability Accounts recreate the post-war prosperity that built the middle class."

For Everyone

"Wealth shouldn't be an accident of birth year. Every American deserves starting capital."

Discussion Questions

Does this framing unfairly blame Boomers for structural issues?

How do we build cross-generational coalition rather than conflict?

Is generational framing politically helpful or divisive?

What about intra-generational inequality (rich vs. poor Millennials)?

How do Stability Accounts compare to other wealth-building proposals?

Note: Generational framing is politically risky—can alienate older voters. But the data is undeniable and resonates powerfully with younger demographics. AIP offers solution that benefits all generations going forward. Validators invited to assess messaging strategy.