Racial wealth gap grows $50,000 as retirement savings disparities persist for workers of color
By
By: Kevin Hardy - June 1, 2026 6:21 pm
Summary
The racial wealth gap in the United States is widening, driven largely by disparities in retirement savings. According to Pew Charitable Trusts research, the median wealth gap between Black and Hispanic families and white families grew by about $50,000 between 2019 and 2022. By 2022, the typical white family had $240,000 more wealth than the typical Black family and $223,000 more than the typical Hispanic family. The primary cause identified is that white families save more for retirement compared to other racial and ethnic groups, with retirement savings—not home equity—being the main driver of the growing disparity.
Source
bskyRacial wealth gap grows $50,000 as retirement savings disparities persist for workers of colormichiganadvance.comKey quotes
· 4 pulledThe median wealth gap between Black and Hispanic families and white families expanded by about $50,000 between 2019 and 2022, according to research from The Pew Charitable Trusts.
The typical white family had $240,000 more wealth in 2022 than the typical Black family and $223,000 more than the typical Hispanic family.
Much of that disparity is caused by white families saving more for retirement than members of other racial and ethnic groups, Pew said.
Retirement savings, not home equity
You might also wanna read
NBER Study: Dramatic Wealth Increase for Americans 75+ While Other Age Groups Decline 1983-2022
This NBER working paper by Edward N. Wolff analyzes the dramatic shift in age-wealth profiles in the U.S. from 1983 to 2022, documenting a s
nber.org·10mo ago
Top 1% Wealth Hits Record $52 Trillion as Stock Market Gains Favor Wealthiest Americans
The article reports that the wealth of the top 1% of Americans has reached a record $52 trillion, with the top 10% adding $5 trillion to the
cnbc.com·5mo ago
Census Data Shows Inflation Wiped Out U.S. Income Gains in 2024
New Census Bureau data reveals that inflation erased wage gains for most Americans in 2024, leaving household incomes largely unchanged exce
wsj.com·9mo ago
Study Reveals Widening Mortality Gap Between College-Educated and Non-College-Educated Americans
This article examines the widening mortality gap in the United States, showing that the life-expectancy difference between college-educated
nber.org·6mo ago
Upward Mobility: More Americans Entering Upper Middle Class Through Career Advancement
The article examines the trend of more Americans moving into the upper middle class, using Randy Shilling's personal story as an example. Sh
wsj.com·2mo ago
Study Reveals 15% of Silicon Valley Wealth Controlled by Nine Households
Economic inequality in Silicon Valley has reached a significant level, with just nine households controlling 15% of the region's wealth. A n
theguardian.com·11mo agoComments
Sign in to join the conversation.
No comments yet. Be the first.