Without that intergenerational discussion, the shock of sudden wealth combined with financial illiteracy and a lack of planning means only 30% will be left for their own grandchildren. By the time those grandchildren have kids, 90% of that family fortune will be gone.
Much has been written about the so-called Great Wealth Transfer, which in the next couple of decades will see the most affluent generation in history – the Baby Boomers – pass down around a global figure of around $70trillion to their descendants.
However, there is less conversation about what happens after that: according to the above research by US-based wealth consultancy Williams Group, most of those lovingly bequeathed fortunes will simply be frittered away – hardly the future Grandma and Grandpa Boomer had in mind.
But there’s a simple solution to keep that money safe, according to charitable organisation Intergenerational England, and that’s for families to talk about the transfer of assets. Honestly, directly – and now.
“The Great Wealth Transfer is not just about passing on assets, it’s an opportunity for meaningful conversations between family members of all ages,” says Intergenerational England’s co-founder Charlotte Miller. “By discussing money openly, younger people can learn valuable lessons on financial responsibility, investment strategies and the emotional nuances of wealth – and parents can learn and understand their children’s short-term and longer-term financial priorities.”
Intergenerational England, whose trustees include Conservative peer Lord Syed Kamall, champions all-age collaboration and communication across all sectors to create a healthier, happier and more prosperous society. And it believes families need those financial conversations to ensure the transfer of wealth goes smoothly and increase the chances of younger family members being able to hold onto it.
“These discussions help younger people gain financial literacy and wisdom, while older generations can share their experiences and values,” says Charlotte. “It’s about more than wealth. It’s about fostering understanding, reducing financial anxiety, and strengthening the social fabric across all age groups.”
Generational attitudes to money do tend to differ. Boomers were born (between 1946 and 1964) into a pragmatic, cautious society where the most prized evidence of security was a ‘job for life’. From them came Gen X (born between 1965 and 1980 ), who were conditioned to focus on saving for retirement. Gen Y (1981-1996) have grown up with online banking but lack financial education and are more likely to build up credit card debt. Gen Z (1997-2012) have known nothing but digital finance, exposure to spending analytics and online/social media advice – yet their inability to get on the housing ladder, meaning they live at home longer without a mortgage or raising a family, inevitably gives them a generally more short-term fiscal outlook.
These disparities can, of course, lead to difficult conversations when different generations discuss money, says Intergenerational England. Around a third of boomers are “reluctant” to pass on their wealth to children or grandchildren because they don’t share the same values, claims research by investment group ABRDN. Parents are often reticent about discussing the extent of their wealth with their children. There’s also a reluctance to embrace the responsibility. Only 42% of adults expecting an inheritance, and just 21% of those in Gen Z, “feel very comfortable financially handling the new wealth”, according to a survey by US insurance company New York Life.
And it’s not just economic sensitivities at play, but emotional ones. Younger family members can find it distressing to have frank discussions with parents envisaging their deaths. They may experience guilt or shame, their self-worth negatively impacted by being so easily ‘set up for life’. Blended families can throw in additional emotive factors. And of course there is always the perennial, natural rebellious attraction to do things differently from mum and dad. According to research by Deloitte, 90% of heirs mark receipt of their inheritance by summarily ditching their parents’ financial advisor – a startling statistic currently prompting thousands of financial services professionals into scrabbling to involve younger family members in their client conversations.
But how did we get here anyway? Why have boomers become the most affluent generation in history – and why is this a challenge right now?
There is an obvious standout reason parents/grandparents’ wealth has exponentially exploded. In the 20 years to 2016, house prices soared nearly 300%. Around 70% of the great wealth being transferred will be property. Compounding this, more than a decade of low interest rates boosted the value of fixed-term final salary pensions. And an increase in life expectancy over the past four decades – from 82 to 85 for women and from 78 to 83 for men – means the boomers’ assets are growing for longer.
But not for much longer. History’s longest-lived generation is coming to an end. The UK death rate is increasing – 7% between 2017 and 2027, projects the Office for National Statistics. This, says a study by thinktank the Centre for Economics and Business Research, will drive up the annual number of Britons receiving an inheritance by 14%, to 1.1million. By 2054 that figure will be 1.5million.
There are ways families can work together to protect their assets into the next generation and beyond. Gifting could avoid inheritance tax and, provided the donor lives for at least another seven years. Parents/grandparents can put their bequest into property or other investments in their heirs’ names. It makes sense for all parties to discuss ahead of time potential legal issues, as well as tax and estate planning.
All of which makes those intergenerational conversations urgent and essential, says Charlotte. “These conversations aren’t just about numbers,” she adds. “They’re about sharing the wisdom of past experiences, understanding each other’s perspectives, and addressing the emotions that come with financial decisions.
“It's through these honest discussions that we can bridge the gap between generations, reduce the risks associated with financial illiteracy, and instil a sense of confidence and responsibility.”
Intergenerational England is striving for a society where we don’t need reminders to have such conversations. Mutual generational respect and understanding should, it says, be a “central pillar” of society, “essential for creating stronger and more connected communities for the long term”.
“In the end,” says Charlotte, “this is not just about managing wealth, but about nurturing a mindset that values learning, trust, and connection across generations.
“Engaging in open conversations across age groups can help shift societal attitudes, alleviate these concerns, and ensure that the wisdom of experience guides the financial decisions of the future. It’s about creating a culture where every generation supports the next, fostering a more cohesive and forward-thinking society.”