Mark Henry is the founder and CEO of Alloy Wealth, a wealth management firm that specializes in retirement and estate planning for those who are nearing the end of their working years. A certified estate planner, Mark Henry possesses decades of experience in the financial sector. He leads a team of knowledgeable professionals at Alloy Wealth who have expertise in a wide range of financial matters. Together with his team, Mark Henry creates written retirement plans for clients, taking into account their savings, investments, lifestyle goals, and monthly budgets with the goal of helping them to attain a steady, reliable income after their careers end.
In addition to supporting his clients’ pre- and post-retirement investment plans, Mark Henry of Alloy Wealth serves as an authority on a wide range of financial matters. He has a popular YouTube channel that answers common financial questions and explains a variety of investment strategies and principles. In addition, he accepts invitations to speak to groups, both online and in-person. He has also been a guest on numerous television, radio, and podcast shows, lending his knowledge and expertise to the shows and their viewers/listeners.
A Look at the K-Shaped Economy
Moreover, Mark Henry hosts an informative blog called Living Large Retirement, which serves as a repository of financial knowledge for members of the public. Anyone who has questions about financial issues or investment planning for retirement can visit the site and read about a wide variety of financial topics. One recent issue that was covered in the blog was the current K-shaped economy in the United States, and the fact that the economy is indeed booming, but not necessarily for everyone.
By many metrics, the economy in the United States is performing well at the moment. The stock market has reached historic highs, consumer activity is booming, and the economy is growing. But this overall growth hides a more complex situation where the wealthiest people in the country are prospering, while a significant portion of the population is struggling to make ends meet.
The Wealthiest People Are Thriving
This dynamic is referred to as a K-shaped economy because one part of the economy is on an upward growth trend, while the other part is declining. At the moment, the wealthiest people in the United States are experiencing noticeable growth in their portfolios, as companies are growing (particularly tech and AI companies) and risk-on assets such as stocks, precious metals, crypto, and real estate are all performing well. In fact, the top 10 wealthiest billionaires in the world—six of whom are from the United States—saw their wealth increase by a combined $730 billion in 2025. That’s an impressive amount of growth for a very small number of people.
It isn’t only the billionaires who are seeing their wealth increase (although they tend to get the most publicity—particularly people like Elon Musk, whose net worth is quickly approaching a trillion dollars). Virtually everyone with a stock portfolio has seen their assets appreciate over the past year. However, only around 60 percent of Americans own stocks, and many of those don’t have very large portfolios. In addition, only around 65 percent of Americans own their own homes. Moreover, an estimated 67 percent of Americans were living paycheck to paycheck in 2025—and with inflation remaining persistently high, interest rates and mortgage rates high, and unemployment increasing, the average person in the country is increasingly feeling the financial strain of the K-shaped economy.
Fortunately, firms such as Alloy Wealth can work with a variety of budgets and net worths, helping people maximize their assets and begin planning for a sustainable retirement, even early in their careers. Planning ahead and starting to save and invest early—even if it’s just a small amount—could make a meaningful difference when it finally comes time to retire.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or retirement advice. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions.
