The Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances found that U.S. families' ability to meet debt payments deteriorated significantly through 2025, with nearly 20% behind on loan payments—the worst level since the 2010 aftermath of the Great Recession. While wealth disparities narrowed slightly and overall net worth increased, income inequality decreased modestly, though higher earners saw substantial gains while lower-income families experienced declining wealth.
The Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances found that Americans' ability to pay debts deteriorated to levels unseen since the 2010 Great Recession aftermath, with nearly 20% of families behind on loan payments in 2025, up from 12% in 2022. Simultaneously, wealth inequality widened as top earners' net worth surged 31% while lower-income families saw declines, and income inequality decreased slightly despite persistent inflation and divergent income trends across age and demographic groups.