Gen Z started building wealth at 19—13 years before boomers did. Most still say they can’t get ahead

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Gen Z followed the yellow brick road. But playing by the rules hasn’t gotten them where they hoped.

The youngest generation in the workforce reports starting to build wealth at 19 on average, according to U.S. Bank’s 2026 Wealth Survey of 5,000 U.S. adults, conducted June 15 through July 1. Millennials began at 25, Gen X at 29, and boomers at 32.