Federal Reserve Data Reveals Median Savings Trends Across American Age Groups Amid Inflation Shifts

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — Recent findings from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances provide a detailed look into the financial health of Americans across different life stages. The report, which has been conducted every three years since 1989, tracks how various age cohorts are managing their wealth through various low-risk vehicles.

The Fed categorizes ‘savings’ into three distinct buckets: transaction accounts like checking and standard savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and savings bonds. While CDs and bonds offer lower-risk profiles and higher interest returns than standard accounts, they often carry penalties for early withdrawals or are issued specifically by the Treasury.

By utilizing median figures rather than averages, the data offers a more accurate representation of the typical American, as these numbers are not skewed by extreme high or low wealth holders.

Individuals under the age of 35 currently hold a median savings balance of $12,220, marking a decrease of approximately $6,000 compared to 2022 levels. The Fed attributed this decline partially to the persistent inflation observed between 2022 and 2025.

A significant portion of young adults’ capital is held in CDs, with a median balance of $6,600. The remaining $5,620 is divided between $4,620 in transaction accounts and $1,000 in savings bonds.

Older millennials have seen an upward trend, with median savings growing from $19,972 in 2022 to $27,300 in 2025. Most of this wealth is tied up in CDs, totaling $20,000, while transaction accounts hold $6,600 and savings bonds account for $700.

Gen X shows even stronger growth, holding roughly $9,000 more in savings than younger millennials. This group has seen median savings rise for three straight cycles, climbing from $22,708 in 2019 to $26,812 in 2022, and reaching $35,400 in 2025.

The total median savings for Gen X stands at $47,000, comprised of $35,000 in CDs, $9,400 in transaction accounts, and $1,000 in savings bonds.

The oldest demographic maintains the highest levels, with a median total savings of $74,000. This represents a significant jump from $49,247 in 2022, which Yahoo Finance noted was driven by a surging stock market that boosted their net worth by 37 percent.

For those aged 75 and older, the median balance consists of $50,000 in CDs, $14,000 in transaction accounts, and $10,000 in savings bonds.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)