>According to research cited in IW in A, there is some controversy over the
>20/80 effect which is linked to models of life cycle wealth. Some say 20%
>of our total wealth is inherited with 80% life cycle accumulation; others
>saying just the opposite.
As I recall - and it's been a while - Modigliani argued against a high inheritance estimate, no doubt because he was fond of his life cycle hypothesis. I don't recall the divisions being as stark as this, though; I recall 50% being quite a conservative estimate.
Doug