Women to inherit most of $124T 'great wealth transfer.' Many aren't ready

Women will be the biggest winners in the $124 trillion 'great wealth transfer' taking place through 2048, yet surveys show many women aren't prepared to inherit all that money.

About $54 trillion of the great wealth transfer is expected to first be passed through inter-spousal transfers to widows, of which more than 95% will go to women, consulting firm Cerulli Associates said . That'll help nearly double female-controlled assets to $34 trillion, representing about 38% of total U.S. assets, by 2030 consulting firm McKinsey forecasts . In 2023, women controlled about $18 trillion, or 34% of U.S. assets, McKinsey said.

Despite knowing a windfall is coming, most women are still unprepared to handle it. A 2025 Citizens survey of 1,500 adults showed 84% of women said they lacked confidence in their ability to manage an inheritance or other financial windfall, compared to 73% of men. Nearly half (45%) said they felt confused or overwhelmed — compared to just 27% of men -- about managing their personal wealth, it said.

"In the great wealth transfer, a large part includes a dialogue about women," said Ami Doshi, director of business development at Hightower Signature Wealth. "Women outlive men, in general, and the wealth moves to the spouse first and then generationally to daughters. But there's a readiness gap . Many don't feel confident about decisions around wealth."

Why don't women feel confident with money?

Widows poised to inherit money are typically older and likely raised in an era when women took a backseat to men in money management decisions, financial experts say.

"Women are very capable, but 'boomer' women were not very involved, either by choice or not given a seat at the table," Doshi said.

Financial advisers are also guilty for not focusing on women, Doshi said.

"The industry is not historically built around women," she said. "Statistics say you may have a household of a husband and wife age 65-plus with an adviser, but the adviser's engaged with the Mr., not Mrs. As an adviser, this is where opportunity and risks are for the adviser. If you just pay attention to Mr., he will likely pass away sooner and when he passes away and she inherits money, she doesn't know she is your client."

Seven of 10 widows end up leaving to go to a new adviser and "go to whomever can meet her where she is." Doshi said.

What's being done to help women prepare?

Ideally, financial advisers are including women early in the money management and estate planning process, advisers say.