After narrowing during the 1980s, the gap in economic well-being between Americans under 35 and those over 65 has widened. About one-fifth (22%) of householders under 35 lives in poverty, compared to just 11% of householders over 65.

In 2009, the gap in median net worth between households headed by adults over 65 and those headed by adults younger than 35 was $166,382.