Generation Beta has arrived, planning for their financial future should start now

Generation Beta has arrived, planning for their financial future should start now
The first American "Beta Babies" are set for very different lives to their parents.
JAN 02, 2025

The youngest Gen Zs are still in their early teens and Generation Alpha is mostly still in grade school, but 2025 adds a new generation into the mix.

Generation Beta – or “Beta Babies” – are those born since the start of the year, but while new parents will be mostly focused on diapers and sleep-disturbed nights for some time, the financial future of these new Americans should be considered sooner rather than later.

That’s according to a new report from Prudential Financial – which recently announced a new CEO in a leadership shakeup - which looks at how the newest addition to the population will see a different future to their parents and guardians.

Eighty percent of respondents to the firm’s survey agreed that, ideally, retirement planning would start from birth, with most saying not saving enough for their own retirement is their number one regret.

The research also reveals expectations for how different Generation Beta’s lives will be; 86% believe that the jobs they will do have not been invented yet and 68% think their children will have more pets than offspring.

These factors will impact the finances of Beta Babies, but so will a predicted increase in life expectancy with half of respondents saying this new generation will cure cancer.

However, while retirement may be a key focus of the report, 58% of parents and prospective parents do not think Generation Beta will ever retire.

“As a first-time parent, I understand how daunting financial planning can be for a family,” said Brandon Goldstein, ChFC, financial planner with Prudential Financial. “While you can’t predict the future, you can plan for it from day one. My son’s future starts with me and how we plan for it as a family. Most new parents think about updating their healthcare plans or insurance policies, but that’s only the beginning. Reassessing your budget to ensure you’re accounting for long-term savings goals and factoring in expected rising costs for the entire family is a critical step.”

In launching its Beta Baby Bonus to celebrate its 150th anniversary this year, with those caring for those born on New Year's Day 2025 able to apply for $150, the firm says that if this amount was invested toward retirement savings it could be worth $100K by the time the newborn reaches 70.

Latest News

Edward Jones facing more race bias claims in new lawsuit
Edward Jones facing more race bias claims in new lawsuit

A private partnership, Edward Jones is a giant in the retail brokerage industry with more than 20,000 financial advisors.

Advisor moves: LPL recruitment momentum continues with $815M Northwestern Mutual team
Advisor moves: LPL recruitment momentum continues with $815M Northwestern Mutual team

Meanwhile, Raymond James and Tritonpoint Partners separately welcomed father-son teams, including a breakaway from UBS in Missouri.

SEC chief Atkins signals caution on prediction market ETFs amid broader rethink of novel fund structures
SEC chief Atkins signals caution on prediction market ETFs amid broader rethink of novel fund structures

Paul Atkins has asked staff to solicit public comment on novel ETFs, pausing the clock on as many as 24 filings linked to the booming event contracts market.

Private capital's $1 trillion bet on the American retirement account
Private capital's $1 trillion bet on the American retirement account

From 401(k)s to retail funds, Deloitte sees private equity and credit crossing into mainstream investing on two fronts at once.

Advisor moves: Wells Fargo Advisors pulls in $9.6b in fresh talent during first half of May
Advisor moves: Wells Fargo Advisors pulls in $9.6b in fresh talent during first half of May

Big-name defections from Morgan Stanley, UBS, and Merrill Lynch headline a busy two weeks of recruiting for the wirehouse.

SPONSORED Are hedge funds the missing ingredient?

Wellington explores how multi strategy hedge funds may enhance diversification

SPONSORED Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management