Passing the Torch
- Karen Bartlett
- Mar 26
- 2 min read
The largest migration of wealth in history
Chris Christensen, President and CEO
Generational Strategies Group
"Our goal is to safeguard each client’s financial well-being from generation to generation.”
“We are in the process of the largest migration of wealth in history. The baby boom generation is passing on unprecedented assets amassed during the post-WWII economic boom to the new generations: Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Now in their mid 60s to 80s, boomers shifting into the fourth quarter of their lives are preparing to pass the torch to their children. The phenomenon, called the Great Wealth Transfer, began when the Greatest Generation emerged from World War II to start businesses and accumulate wealth. As they began aging out, they passed their wealth on to their children, the baby boom generation. Boomers have been extremely successful empire builders, and they require extremely careful planning as they prepare to pass the torch to their own children. This Great Wealth Transfer consists of private businesses, real estate, equities, and cash, and, according to Allianz and other financial intelligence providers, roughly $16 trillion will move within the next ten years, reaching $125 trillion by 2048.
“Millennials, Gen X, and Gen Z face a different, more challenging financial landscape than previous generations, requiring new strategies. A great deal depends on how this vast wealth is managed. Since establishing Generational Strategies Group in 1983 and observing signs for the coming wealth migration, I have directed 100% of our focus to helping high- net-worth clients, primarily principals of privately held businesses, to prioritize liquid assets, gifting, and trust structures that keep wealth nimble and ready for generational transfer.
“Our goal is to safeguard each client’s financial well-being from generation to generation. To that end, we hold straightforward conversations with adult children and their parents to plan for smooth succession or sale of family businesses, long-term elder care, and medical expenses while planning their own legacies and ensuring that their wishes will be honored. We work side by side with our clients in navigating critical changes in tax laws to mitigate and negate estate taxes by meshing all the key planning strategies, including family foundations and charitable trusts, into a zero estate tax plan. As the Great Wealth Transfer continues to unfold, we remain committed to delivering 100% of their life’s work —not to the government, but to their children, grandchildren, and cherished charities.”
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5150 Tamiami Trail N • Ste. 600
Naples, FL 34103
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