Millennials aren’t as debt-saddled as you may think, survey shows

Despite the perception of millennials being more debt-saddled than other generations, recently released survey data from New York Life indicate that millennials’ maximum debt levels are likely lower than you think.

According to the survey, which asked U.S. adults what their highest level of debt has been since they turned 18 (with mortgages excluded), only 4% of millennials reported that their debt reached into six figures; i.e., $100,000 or more.

At the other end of the spectrum, 43% of millennials indicated their debt has never risen to even $5,000.

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Add to that another share (19%) whose highest debt has ranged from $5,000 to $9,999, and you find that more than 6 in 10 millennials (62%) have so far kept their debt below $10,000.

The survey also found that most millennials (57%) are still carrying half or more of their debt, with only 15% reporting they have managed to pay it all off.

New York Life’s survey was conducted online in mid-November by Morning Consult. Polling a national sample of 2,201 adults, including approximately 600 millennials (age 23-38), the findings were weighted to U.S. population demographics and released Dec. 10.