Governments are likely to pillage the $80 trillion ‘Great Wealth Transfer’ to fund their national debt, says UBS

Core Insights - The Great Wealth Transfer is projected to involve $124 trillion being passed down from older generations to younger ones over the next 20 to 30 years, significantly impacting personal finances and government fiscal health [3][4] - Governments are likely to seek a share of this wealth to address high national debts, which could limit private sector access to these funds [5] Wealth Transfer Dynamics - The baby boomer generation, the wealthiest in history, will bequeath substantial sums to Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z, with an estimated $80 trillion changing hands in the next 20 years [3][4] - Women are expected to inherit around $9 trillion and plan to invest it in the stock market, indicating a shift in investment patterns [5][6] Economic Implications - The anticipated wealth transfer could help rectify fiscal challenges in advanced economies, particularly those with unsustainable national debt levels [2][5] - Women, as new wealth holders, are likely to invest differently than men, focusing on long-term strategies and thorough research, potentially lowering the cost of capital for complex investment projects [6] National Debt Context - The U.S. national debt has reached $38 trillion, raising concerns about the speed of accruing borrowing costs amid ongoing high spending [7]