Archive · 16 Jan 2026
Elderly Americans Drive Stock Market Growth
Older Americans, aged 70 and over, are now owning a big part of the stock market.
They used to be more careful with their money, but now they're taking more risks and putting a lot of their savings into stocks.
This is because they feel they have enough money to live on and they want to grow their wealth.
Some are even influenced by the fear of missing out, just like younger people.
However, if the stock market goes down, these older investors might sell their stocks quickly, which could make the market drop even more.
Experts are watching to see how this will play out.
Americans aged 70 and over now own 39% of all stocks and mutual funds, nearly double the share from 1989 to 2009.
The over-70s have accumulated almost half of the $24 trillion increase in stock and mutual-fund wealth in the past five years.
Older investors are taking on more risk, with many holding at least 60% of their portfolios in stocks.
The shift is driven by increased wealth, higher risk tolerance, and the influence of FOMO (fear of missing out).
A significant downturn could lead older investors to sell stocks quickly, potentially worsening market declines.
- Who
- Americans aged 70 and over
- What
- Increased stock and mutual fund ownership
- When
- Recent years, particularly the past five years
- Where
- United States
- Why
- Increased risk tolerance, wealth, and FOMO
- Age Group
- 70 and over
- Stock and Mutual Fund Ownership
- 39%
- Wealth Increase
- $24 trillion
- Portfolio Allocation
- 60% in stocks
- Risk Tolerance
- Increased
- Bond Returns
- Below 0.5 percentage points above inflation
- FOMO Influence
- Present in older investors
- Market Impact
- Potential downturn risks