Perkins challenges inheritance timing

Bill Perkins, hedge fund multimillionaire and author of Die with Zero, says parents should give children inheritance early rather than waiting until death.

The 28 to 33 window

Perkins told Fortune Daily the best time to give inheritance is when children are between 28 and 33 years old, when their brains reach peak mental acuity.

“Your brain reaches peak mental acuity at 28 on average, and you're in decline and plateau starting at 33.”

Money arrives too late

Perkins cites Virginia Colin, who received one hundred thirty thousand dollars at age 49 after her mother died. She said the money would have been far more valuable earlier.

“It just would have been a lot more valuable a lot earlier.”

Current practice misses the mark

Federal Reserve data shows the most common age for inheritance is 60. Perkins argues this timing wastes the money's potential to help with major life milestones.

Young Americans need help now

About half of Americans aged 18 to 29 live with parents as mortgage rates near 7 percent. The median first-time homebuyer age rose to 40 in 2025, up from 28 in 1991.

Rethink inheritance as a choice

Perkins says giving money to children while alive is not autopilot tradition but deliberate thinking about when they need it most. It is their money, not yours.

“If you plan on giving money to your kids, well, that's their money, not your money.”