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High earners cite financial distress despite six-figure incomes
A Harris Poll found one-third of Americans earning $100,000 or more describe themselves as financially distressed, and nearly three-quarters used a credit card recently after running out of cash.
Yahoo Finance cites survey data suggesting that going broke is often a gradual process driven by spending and borrowing decisions, even among people with high incomes.
A Harris Poll conducted in November 2025 found that a third of Americans earning at least $100,000 describe themselves as financially distressed, while 64% say a six-figure income has become “survival mode” rather than a signal of wealth.
The piece also points to borrowing and cash flow strain, noting that three-quarters of those earners had used a credit card recently because they had run out of cash, and more than half said they would need to double their income to feel secure.
It further cites claims and coping patterns tied to wealth allocation and support for others, including that millionaires under 43 hold only 25% of their wealth in stocks, and that nearly six in 10 parents provide financial assistance to adult children, according to data referenced in the article.