The percentage of Americans who hold credit card debt has increased significantly in the last two years with higher income households more likely to have long-term debt of this kind.
A new survey from Bankrate.com reveals that 54 million Americans have held their credit card debt for at least one year, that’s 60% of the population in 2023 compared to 50% two years ago, but unchanged from a year ago.
The stats show that those households with an annual income of $100,000 or more are more likely than lower income households to have been in debt to their card provider for at least a year and for at least five years.
Among this wealthiest income bracket, 72% have held credit card debt for a year or more and 27% have held it for at least five years. For those households with an annual income below $50,000 the one-year figure falls to 53% and the five-year figure is just 13%.
However, lower income households are more likely to be carrying credit card debt at all – 53% among the $50K or less group, 48% of those in the $50,000-79,000 group, 44% in the $80,000-$99,999 group, and 38% for those above $100K.
Gen X (ages 43-58) and Gen Z (ages 18-26) cardholders are more likely (53% and 52% respectively) to carry a balance from month to month, compared to 49% of millennial (ages 27-42) cardholders and 41% of baby boomer (ages 59-77) cardholders. However, millennials are more likely to have held their credit card debt for at least one year.
Overall, almost half of respondents (47%) are carrying debt from month to month, slightly higher than in 2022 (46%) and up from 39% in 2021.
Bankrate’s senior industry analyst, Ted Rossman, says more people are carrying more debt and at higher interest rates.
“Credit card debt is easy to get into and hard to get out of,” Rossman said. “Contrary to popular belief, it’s usually very practical things that push people into debt. It’s so important to make credit card debt payoff a priority. If you only make minimum payments toward the average balance at the average interest rate, you’ll be in debt for nearly two decades.”
Rossman added that credit card rates are often three, four, or even five times higher than other common financial products.
Chasing productivity is one thing, but when you're cutting corners, missing details, and making mistakes, it's time to take a step back.
It is not clear how many employees will be affected, but none of the private partnership’s 20,000 financial advisors will see their jobs at risk.
The historic summer sitting saw a roughly two-thirds pass rate, with most CFP hopefuls falling in the under-40 age group.
"The greed and deception of this Ponzi scheme has resulted in the same way they have throughout history," said Daniel Brubaker, U.S. Postal Inspection Service inspector in charge.
Elsewhere, an advisor formerly with a Commonwealth affiliate firm is launching her own independent practice with an Osaic OSJ.
Stan Gregor, Chairman & CEO of Summit Financial Holdings, explores how RIAs can meet growing demand for family office-style services among mass affluent clients through tax-first planning, technology, and collaboration—positioning firms for long-term success
Chris Vizzi, Co-Founder & Partner of South Coast Investment Advisors, LLC, shares how 2025 estate tax changes—$13.99M per person—offer more than tax savings. Learn how to pass on purpose, values, and vision to unite generations and give wealth lasting meaning
