Comment by graemep

1 day ago

Still are, arguably. Dependent on earnings rather than wealth.

They did have a lot of privileges, especially when employed in the colonies.

I think we are entering a wierd era where a huge population (baby boomers) are returing with incredible passive wealth compared to any other working class era in history.

This is... a mass elite or more of one that may have ever existed before including the small merchant class of the late 1800s

  • Baby boomers are aged between 66 and 80, so most of them have already retired. We are not entering the era, we are in it.

    • The baby boom happened in some countries at different times. In the US from 1946 till 1965, in Germany 1955-1969. In Japan fertility dropped after 1973

      1 reply →

    • And though some are quite wealthy, the average Boomer net worth of about $1.6MM is concentrated in the wealthy top few, like any other demographic. The median Boomer has a net worth of $300-$400K, the largest fraction of which is probably their house (so not income-producing), and that isn't really a lot to live off of in 2026.

      26 replies →