Wealthy Americans fare better in the pandemic, new survey shows

The rich get richer while the poor get poorer: it’s an old adage, but a new survey by the Pew Research Center shows that in the time of coronavirus in the United States, it’s as accurate as ever.

Americans with upper incomes are doing better than they were pre-pandemic: 39 percent say their family’s financial situation has improved in the last year. That’s compared with 32 percent of middle-income adults and 22 percent of those in the lower-income bracket, found the survey published on Friday.

The survey of 10,334 US adults defined “middle income” as earning between $38,900 to $116,800 per year for a family of three, “lower income” as earning less than $38,900 per year for a family of three and “upper income” as families earning more than $116,800 annually.

Wealthier Americans are also more likely to say that they are spending less money than they were before the COVID-19 crisis hit. Fifty-three percent of those with upper incomes are clutching their wallets tighter, compared to 43 percent of middle-income adults and 34 percent of those with lower incomes.

Although higher-income adults report spending less and saving more mostly due to pandemic lockdowns and business restrictions, they have also been more likely to hold on to their jobs at a time when unemployment remains high.

Lower-income adults, and more particularly Hispanics and Asian Americans and young adults under the age of 30, are more likely to report that they or someone in their household has lost a job since the coronavirus pandemic began last year.

The Pew survey found that lower-income and Black Americans are most likely to say they are in more debt or have delayed paying bills due to lost wages as well.

The good news is that the financial forecast seems to be improving for everyone across the board since last year’s tailspin.

Some 53 percent of Americans from all walks of life described their economic situation as excellent or good in the Pew survey, up from 47 percent in April 2020 – the peak of pandemic restrictions and shutdowns.

But a closer look shows a darker reality for equality in the US, particularly across racial and educational levels.

Most upper-income adults – 86 percent – described their financial situation as in excellent or good shape. The survey also found that people with a four-year college degree, white and Asian adults, men and Americans over the age of 65 are all faring better.

Shoppers stand in line wearing face masks outside the Gucci store in Beverly Hills, California, US [File: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters]

On the flip side of that, 74 percent of lower-income adults and the majority of Black and Hispanic adults and those with a high school degree or less education reported that their financial situation is in poor shape.

One in three Americans worries about making ends meet and the crushing burden of growing debt. And more than half of lower-income adults said the pandemic has derailed them from achieving long-term financial goals, such as saving for retirement.

As for older Americans, one in four over the age of 50 who either lost their job or had hours cut back said that the pandemic is likely to postpone their retirement.

Americans in the lower-income bracket are also more likely to say they have dipped into their savings, borrowed money from friends and family or taken on more debt to pay bills after losing a job or getting laid off.

Most in that category say that they will use the government’s stimulus relief to catch up on bills or buy essentials. Sixty-six percent in the lower-income bracket plan to do that with the funds, compared with 49 percent of middle-income adults and 30 percent of those with upper incomes.