Major milestone marks new phase of Australia’s great wealth transfer

The latest findings from KPMG has revealed that Gen X now holds an average value of $1.31 million in property, narrowly surpassing Baby Boomers ($1.30 million) as the biggest holders of housing assets.

Gen X also has the highest ownership of shares, averaging $256,000, followed by Baby Boomers with $206,000, which KPMG suggested may indicate the older generation’s desire for “less risky assets” as they move into retirement.

This theory is further supported by the fact that Baby Boomers are leading the way considerably in terms of cash and deposits, holding an average of $242,000, with Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z lagging behind with $176,000, $104,000 and $26,000, respectively.

KPMG urban economist Terry Rawnsley suggested that these findings are a result of Baby Boomers selling down their assets as they move into retirement.

“Baby Boomers are gravitating towards liquidity and higher cash holdings which reflect their inclination towards safer investments,” Rawnsley said.

However, even as Gen X has moved up the ranks in several areas, Baby Boomers have maintained the top position in regard to other assets, primarily superannuation and business assets, holding $641,000 compared with $586,000 held by Gen X.

Meanwhile, Millennials and Gen Z hold just $260,000 and $43,000, respectively, though Rawnsley suggested that their superannuation balances are likely to surpass the older generations significantly in the future, however it is important to note the impact the rising cost of living may have on this.

As such, Baby Boomers maintain a significant lead in terms of their average net worth, currently sitting at $2.31 million, followed in generational order by Gen X ($1.88 million), Millennials ($757,000) and Gen Z ($96,000).

Younger generations

Despite prospects for Gen X looking increasingly promising, younger generations appear to be facing a number of challenges in the pursuit of wealth.

This is highlighted by the significant gap in housing assets, with Millennials averaging slightly more than half that of the older generations ($750,000) and Gen Z significantly further behind with an average of $69,000, indicating challenges entering the housing market.

Although it is important to keep in mind the difference in years spent accumulating wealth, Millennials and Gen Z are also faring considerably worse in terms of shares, holding just $51,000 and $7,000, respectively.

"While the starter’s gun has been fired on the great wealth transfer, our findings still demonstrate a clear disparity in housing wealth between older and younger generations,” Rawnsley said.

"These lower levels of share ownership among younger generations indicate a cautious approach towards equity markets, possibly due to financial pressures and less cash to invest.”

Looking at the level of debt between the cohorts, Gen X ($448,000) and Millennials ($410,000) currently have the highest loan balances largely as a result of home loans.

Baby Boomers have an average of $82,000 as they work to pay down the remainder of their home loans before retirement, while Gen Z boasts the least debt with just $49,000, made up primarily of HECS and credit card debt.