Research: Wealth Transfer Statistics 2026

Status: Research Complete (Feb 3, 2026) Primary Sources: Cerulli Associates (2025 Update), McKinsey & Co, Equitable / WSJ Intelligence (2024), IRS, BCG, Bank of America, Fidelity.

1. The "Big Number" Update (Cerulli 2025)

The "Great Wealth Transfer" estimate has been revised significantly upwards.

• Old Number: $84 Trillion (through 2045)
• New Number: $124 Trillion (through 2048)
  • To Heirs: $105 Trillion
  • To Charity: $19 Trillion
• Driver: Asset appreciation, inflation, and baby boomer wealth compounding.

2. The "Spousal Bridge" (Horizontal Transfer)

Wealth doesn't go straight to the kids. It moves sideways first.

• Volume: $54 Trillion will transfer to spouses (intra-generational) before moving down.
• Demographic: Since women typically outlive men by ~5 years, this wealth will predominantly be controlled by women in the near term.
• McKinsey Projection: Women will control $30 Trillion+ in US financial assets by 2030 (up from $10T in 2020).

3. The "Advisor Cliff" (Churn Risk)

When wealth transfers, advisors get fired.

• The Stat: A 2024 Equitable / WSJ Intelligence survey found only one in three people expecting an inheritance plan to retain their parents' financial service provider.
• Interpretation: This is intent, not observed retention, but it signals a large expected churn.
• Reason: Lack of relationship. Advisors historically ignored the spouse and the children.

4. The 2026 Estate Tax Update (OBBBA)

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 removed the TCJA sunset and raised the federal estate tax exclusion.

• 2025 Exclusion: ~$13.99M per person ($27.98M per couple).
• 2026 Exclusion: $15M per person ($30M per couple), indexed for inflation.
• Rate: Federal estate tax rate remains 40% above the exclusion.

5. Next Gen Readiness

• Financial Literacy: Only 42% of HNW parents are confident in their children's ability to handle the inheritance.
• Communication Gap: 52% of parents have not disclosed the full extent of their wealth to their children.
• Trusts: Usage of "Silent Trusts" and "Incentive Trusts" is up 15% YoY as parents seek control from the grave.

6. X1 Derived Insights (Synthesis)

• The "Double Transfer" Risk: Advisors prepare for the transfer to kids (Vertical) but fail to prepare for the transfer to the spouse (Horizontal). Survey intent data suggests many heirs plan to change providers, and the initial break often starts with the widow, not the kids.
• Estate Tax Still Matters: Even with the higher exclusion, estates above $15M remain subject to a 40% federal rate.
• Family Governance: The hedge against advisor churn is multi-generational family governance (Family Constitution), which X1 automates.

---

FAQ Candidates

1. What is the Great Wealth Transfer amount in 2026?
   • Answer: The latest projections estimate $124 Trillion will transfer hands by 2048, up from previous estimates of $84 Trillion.
2. What percentage of heirs fire their financial advisor?
   • Answer: A 2024 Equitable / WSJ Intelligence survey found only one in three people expecting an inheritance plan to retain their parents' financial service provider.
3. Will the estate tax exemption drop in 2026?
   • Answer: No. OBBBA removed the sunset and raised the exclusion to $15M per person (indexed for inflation).
4. How much wealth will women control by 2030?
   • Answer: McKinsey projects women will control over $30 Trillion in US financial assets by 2030.

---

Update Checklist

• Refresh Cerulli transfer totals and breakdown when a new report releases.
• Verify estate tax exclusion amounts against the latest IRS inflation adjustments.
• Re-check adviser retention intent using the most recent Equitable / WSJ Intelligence survey.
• Update the production page timestamp after any data changes.