Robert Kiyosaki issues grim warning for baby boomers. How to protect yourself now
Feb 20, 2026
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In a recent podcast, Kiyosaki predicted a wave of homelessness for American boomers and blamed the Federal Reserve.
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He shared assets that he believes can help you fight inflation. For instance, you can combine the tax perks of a retirement account and the protective benefits of bullion with a gold IRA.
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Another inflation-hedging asset is real estate, which many investors can tap into without large amounts of capital. For instance, you can own properties through the Fundrise Flagship Fund for as little as $10.
America’s baby boomers are often seen as the lucky generation — those who bought homes before prices soared and benefited from decades of market growth. But "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" author Robert Kiyosaki warns those golden years may not be so golden after all.
In a recent appearance on The Iced Coffee Hour podcast, Kiyosaki predicted a wave of boomer homelessness — and blamed one institution.
“The reason we have homelessness today is because we have a Federal Reserve bank — it’s a criminal organization,” he said. “Look how homelessness is exploding. People can’t afford homes.”
Born in 1947, Kiyosaki says his generation is especially vulnerable.
“The boomers don’t have enough money to get through inflation. The boomers are going to be homeless all over the place,” he said on The Iced Coffee Hour podcast. “So mark my words, I’m the first of the boomers. We’re going to get wiped out via inflation. Your mommy and daddy may be on the street because inflation is going to wipe out their Social Security.”
His concerns echo broader worries. While benefits are adjusted for inflation, they often lag behind rising housing and health care costs. And with the Social Security trust fund projected to run dry by 2035, retirees could receive just 83% of their full benefits.
The good news? Kiyosaki also shared the assets he believes can stand strong against inflation, money printing, and more.
Going for gold
Kiyosaki has long been a vocal advocate for gold. His reasoning is straightforward: “I’m not buying gold because I like gold, I’m buying gold because I don’t trust the Fed,” he said in an interview from 2021.
Indeed, the yellow metal is a natural hedge against inflation — unlike fiat currencies, it can’t be printed at will by central banks. Gold is also widely considered the ultimate safe-haven asset. It’s not tied to any one country, currency or economy, and in times of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, investors often flock to it — driving prices higher.
Kiyosaki has been hoarding the metal.
“I have boxes of gold. I own gold mines,” he revealed.
He’s not alone in this stance. Ray Dalio, founder of the world’s largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, told CNBC earlier this year that “people don't have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,” adding that “when bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.”
And the market has rewarded gold holders. Over the past 12 months, gold prices have surged by about 70%.
One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Priority Gold.
Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, thereby combining the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.
Priority Gold is an industry leader in precious metals, offering physical delivery of gold and silver. Plus, they have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a 5-star rating from Trust Link.
If you’d like to convert an existing IRA into a gold IRA, Priority Gold offers 100% free rollover, as well as free shipping, and free storage for up to five years. Qualifying purchases will also receive up to $10,000 in free silver.
To learn more about how Priority Gold can help you reduce inflation’s impact on your nest egg, download their free 2026 gold investor bundle.
Diversifying with real estate
Gold isn’t the only asset investors turn to during inflationary times. Real estate has also proven to be a powerful hedge.
When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts for inflation.
Kiyosaki is no stranger to this asset class.
In a post on X earlier this year, Kiyosaki laid out the steps he believes individuals can take to brace for a recession — and highlighted real estate’s income-generating power.
“I have always recommended people become entrepreneurs, at least a side hustle and not need job security. Then invest in income-producing real estate, in a crash, which provides steady cash flow,” he said.
Invest in real estate without a mortgage
Today, you don’t need to be as wealthy as Kiyosaki to get started in real estate investing.
For instance, the Fundrise Flagship Fund¹ is a $1 billion private real estate fund that lets you invest in an expertly crafted strategy without needing hundreds of thousands of dollars. You don’t need to be an accredited investor, and you can get started with as little as $10.
With 4,700+ single-family homes and 2,500+ residential units owned by the Fundrise Flagship Fund, you get exposure to institutional-style scale and diversification.
Industrial
215 Interchange
Las Vegas, NV
Build-for-rent
Pine Ridge
Fountain Inn, SC
Build-for-rent
Omnia
Richmond Hill, GA
These are a few examples of properties powering the Fundrise Flagship Fund. For a full list of the Fundrise Flagship Fund's portfolio properties see the Flagship Fund website.
After you place your first investment, the Fundrise Flagship Fund will work to find and add new assets to your portfolio over time and send you transparent updates along the way.
It only takes a few minutes to sign up now and become a real estate investor today.
Another option is Class B real estate, which is an asset class that tends to perform steadily through market cycles, supported by a broad tenant base and sustained demand for quality, affordable space.
Featured
Residential
Columbus, OH
Featured
Industrial
Tobyhanna, PA
Featured
Residential
Beverly Hills, MI
These are a few examples of past properties or acquisitions from Lightstone. Explore more investment opportunities when you register with Lightstone DIRECT.
In times of volatility, they often benefit from renters “trading down” from higher-cost options, while limited new supply keeps vacancies in check.
Accredited investors can now tap into this opportunity through platforms such as Lightstone DIRECT, which gives you access to single-asset multifamily and industrial deals — with a minimum investment of $100,000.
Here’s the kicker: Lightstone invests at least 20% of its own capital in every deal — roughly four times the industry average. With skin in the game, the firm ensures its interests are directly aligned with those of its investors.
Finding the right asset mix
While gold, real estate and other alternative assets can play an important role in protecting your savings, they’re just a portion of your entire financial puzzle.
Determining the right mix of assets for your portfolio isn’t one-size-fits-all — and a trusted, pre-screened financial advisor can help tailor investment choices to your income, net worth, and long-term goals, where generalized advice often falls short.
According to research by Vanguard, people who work with financial advisors see a 3% increase in net returns. This difference can be substantial over time. For instance, if you start with a $50,000 portfolio, you could potentially retire with an extra $1.3 million after 30 years of professional guidance.
Finding the right advisor for your needs is simple with Advisor.com. Their platform connects you with an experienced, qualified financial professional in your local area who can provide personalized guidance.
A professional advisor can also help you assess how many years you have left to invest before retirement and determine your comfort level with market fluctuations, both of which are key to creating the right asset mix for your portfolio.
Through Advisor.com, you can schedule a free consultation with no obligation to hire to discuss your financial goals and retirement planning needs.
Jing is an investment reporter for MoneyWise. He is an avid advocate of investing for passive income. Despite the ups and downs he’s been through with the markets, Jing believes that you can generate a steadily increasing income stream by investing in high quality companies.
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