An Analysis of the Distribution of Wealth Across Households, 1989-2010

Abstract

[Excerpt] Different views about the impact of redistributive policies on long-term economic growth underlie congressional deliberations on such issues as taxation and social welfare. To help inform these policy debates, this report analyzes data from the 1989 to 2010 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) on the trend in the distribution of wealth across households. The roles of stock and home ownership in wealth accumulation are subsequently examined. The report closes with a review of explanations for the accumulation and distribution of wealth across households.