Women to Control $34 Trillion by 2030 as $124 Trillion Wealth Transfer Exposes Readiness Gap

Women will inherit the majority of a $124 trillion "great wealth transfer" through 2048, but surveys show most are unprepared to manage it, according to Cerulli Associates and McKinsey data. About $54 trillion will first pass through inter-spousal transfers to widows, more than 95% of whom will be women. Female-controlled assets are projected to nearly double to $34 trillion by 2030, or 38% of total U.S. assets, up from $18 trillion (34%) in 2023, McKinsey said. A 2025 Citizens survey of 1,500 adults found 84% of women lacked confidence managing an inheritance, versus 73% of men. Nearly half (45%) felt overwhelmed by wealth management, compared with 27% of men. Advisers cite generational factors—many widows were raised when men led financial decisions—and industry practices that historically engaged the husband over the wife. Seven in 10 widows switch advisers after inheriting.