Wealth advisers say anxiety over the Gen Z job market is spreading among ultra-high net worth families, who increasingly share the same questions as many American households: Will their children be able to build careers and support themselves in a rapidly changing economy shaped by artificial intelligence and tougher hiring conditions?
“Billionaires have the financial resources to support their children, but they sometimes struggle to determine what else is needed for their children to succeed,” said Tom Thiegs, managing director of leadership and legacy at Ascent Private Capital Management with U.S. Bank.
Patrick Dwyer, managing director at Aligned by NewEdge Wealth, said wealthy parents now recognize they face a different landscape than the one they navigated. Families are rethinking support, he said, including how to handle mid-career retraining needs.
Dwyer, who works with clients with net worths from about $100 million to more than $1 billion, noted clients worry their adult children, often ages 22 to 35, are struggling to land and keep jobs long associated with stability and prestige, such as roles in technology, law, and health care. He added that many families are preparing to pass on more wealth as a result.
Parents fear that without more substantial transfers, or if their children cannot build wealth on their own, the next generation could have less control over their lives than their parents did, Dwyer said.
Thiegs said the concern is more common than many assume. “On the surface it can sound irrational: ‘Why would a billionaire worry about their child getting a job?’ But realistically, no matter how much money you have, parents still want their children to succeed and lead fulfilled lives.”
Why the Gen Z job market unnerves wealthy parents
Advisers say uncertainty in the Gen Z job market is reshaping how affluent families plan for their children’s futures. The primary worry is not a lack of financial resources. Instead, parents fear diminished career outcomes and reduced fulfillment compared with prior generations.
“They’re not usually worried about the financial security of their children; rather they worry that the job market will impact their child’s sense of purpose, identity, and confidence,” Thiegs said. He added that parents also worry significant wealth could blunt motivation to work.
Thiegs does not recommend simply underwriting adult children’s expenses. He urges long-term strategies across estate planning and investing that emphasize growth and development.
“We recommend creating a system that provides opportunities for growth and development rather than just a financial safety net,” he said, underscoring the importance of building self-worth alongside net worth.
Trent Von Ahsen, a certified financial planner and managing partner at Cedar Point Capital Partners, said many ultra-high net worth families are more concerned about fostering dependence than leaving children under-supported. “This cohort of parents seem more concerned about over-supporting their children, than under-supporting them,” he said.
How Gen Z is adapting to the job market
The changing Gen Z job market is already reflected in career choices. After high-profile white-collar layoffs and growing unease about AI, more young workers are veering from traditional corporate paths.
Some are pursuing creator roles or moving into blue-collar and technical fields such as manufacturing, electrical work, and other skilled trades that may offer greater control or quicker earnings. In some cases, college-educated Gen Z workers are competing for six-figure nanny and tutor jobs in affluent households in pursuit of financial flexibility outside the office.
A 2025 Deloitte global survey found only 6% of Gen Z respondents listed reaching a corporate leadership role as a primary goal, with most prioritizing work-life balance, fulfillment, and learning. Advisers say these shifts call for updated financial strategies among wealthy families.
Von Ahsen said plans should “encourage growth and responsibility” rather than rely on large, one-time inheritances. “We see more emphasis on education funding flexibility, mentorship, and phased wealth transfers,” he said, describing an approach focused on providing opportunity without eroding initiative.
Some wealthy families are also watching how large platforms are reshaping the creator economy, as YouTube exclusivity deals offer millions to top creators and influence Gen Z career aspirations.
A version of this story first appeared on February 11, 2026.