Story perspectives

Baby Boomers to Pass $36T; $8T Spending Spurs 2.1% Growth

7/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Visa Business and Economic Insights estimates baby boomers will transfer roughly $36 trillion to heirs over the next 20 years.
After retirement costs, taxes and debt, about $36 trillion remains for inheritance, averaging $515,000 per household.
Visa projects that $8 trillion—8.6 % of assets—will be spent, raising consumer-spending growth to 2.1 % from 2 %.
Economists say most heirs will invest rather than consume, limiting broader economic impact despite the $8 trillion in spending.

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Story summary

Visa Business and Economic Insights estimates baby boomers will transfer roughly $36 trillion to heirs over the next 20 years.
After retirement costs, taxes and debt, about $36 trillion remains for inheritance, averaging $515,000 per household.
Visa projects that $8 trillion—8.6 % of assets—will be spent, raising consumer-spending growth to 2.1 % from 2 %.
Economists say most heirs will invest rather than consume, limiting broader economic impact despite the $8 trillion in spending.