Baby Boomers and Their Parents: How Does Their Economic Well-Being Compare in Middle Age?

Abstract

We use survey data to compare the income and consumption of baby boomers in 1989 with that of their parents' generation in the early 1960s when they were the same ages. Various adjustments allow for changes in household composition and living arrangements. We also assess how wealth accumulation by baby boomers compares to that of their parents' generation. We find that boomers on average have accumulated more wealth relative to income at this point in their lives than their parents' generation had at the same stage of life 30 years ago. However, measured consumption has not increased as much as measured income for young adults.

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