Middle-Aged Americans Are Filing for Bankruptcy at the Highest Rate Since 2017 — Debt, Inflation and Soaring Gas Prices Are Piling on the Pressure
Americans aged 40 to 59 now account for nearly half of all new consumer bankruptcies, the largest share for that age bracket since 2017, as middle-aged households buckle under debt and rising costs. Middle-Aged Americans Lead the Rise Consumers aged 40-49 made up 26.8% of new bankruptcies, the highest share for that age group since the third quarter of 2015 and the largest of any single bracket, according to data shared by The Kobeissi Letter. The 50-59 group accounted for another 23.1%, bringing the combined share of Americans aged 40-59 to 49.9%, the highest since the first quarter of 2017, though still below the 54.3% peak in the fourth quarter of 2011 following the financial crisis. BREAKING: US consumers aged 40-49 now account for 26.8% of new consumer bankruptcies, their highest proportion since Q3 2015 and the largest among all age groups. At the same time, the 50-59 group represents 23.1%, bringing the combined proportion of Americans aged 40-59 to… pic.twitter.com/S5YkxJjVmJ — The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) September 15, 2026 Younger and Older Americans Move in Opposite Directions Americans 70 and older now make up 21.5% of new bankruptcies, their largest share sinc
Americans aged 40 to 59 now account for nearly half of all new consumer bankruptcies, the largest share for that age bracket since 2017, as middle-aged households buckle under debt and rising costs. 8% of new bankruptcies, the highest share for that age group since the third quarter of 2015 and the largest of any single bracket, according to data shared by The Kobeissi Letter. 3% peak in the fourth quarter of 2011 following the financial crisis. 8% of new consumer bankruptcies, their highest proportion since Q3 2015 and the largest among all age groups.
9%, their lowest share since mid-2014. “Older Americans are falling behind on their debt,” the market commentator added. 7% in the second quarter of 2026, while home equity lines of credit rose for a 17th consecutive quarter, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. 6% of balances now 90 or more days past due.
S. 4% for the month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 9% and accounting for more than a third of the entire monthly increase, with fuel oil up 52% over the past year. 23 a gallon amid intensifying conflict in the Middle East, according to AAA.
This week, Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST ) raised prices on its private-label motor oil and capped purchases at two units per member per week, as rising crude oil costs tied to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East ripple through the auto care aisle. Read Also: Mark Cuban Says Meta and Google Could Be Funding Their AI Future With Anti-Tech Content: 'Interesting to Watch the Irony…' Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published editors. Image via Shutterstock/ Hryshchyshen Serhii