What is social wealth?

Social wealth is the measurement of the quality and depth of an individual's relationships, including family, friends, and professional networks.

What are the three pillars of social wealth?

Social wealth consists of three primary pillars: breadth (the size of your network), depth (the strength of close ties), and trust (the reliability of those bonds).

How do relationships impact long-term happiness?

Research, such as the Harvard Study of Adult Development, indicates that strong social connections are one of the most significant predictors of long-term happiness and health.

Social Wealth: The Power of Connection in Retirement

Written and reviewed by Brandon VanLandingham, CFA, CMT, CFP® · Last updated November 18, 2023

Quick answer

Social Wealth is the value of strong, trusted relationships, measured through breadth, depth, and trust. Research, including Harvard’s 80-year study on happiness, suggests that close social bonds are more closely linked to long-term well-being than money alone, making relationships a core part of a balanced view of wealth.

Key takeaways

Social Wealth in this series is built on three pillars: breadth, depth, and trust.
Harvard’s 80-year happiness study is cited as evidence that strong relationships predict long-term well-being more reliably than wealth alone.
A practical test of Social Wealth is identifying who you would call at 3 a.m. if life fell apart.
The post recommends simple relationship rituals, including weekly friend check-ins and no-agenda dinners, to strengthen trust over time.

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Part 2: Social Wealth – The Power of Connection

Money might buy a yacht, but it won’t fill it with people you love. In Part 2 of our series on The 5 Types of Wealth, Sahil Bloom dives into Social Wealth, the richness of relationships that outshines any paycheck. Drawing from history (think Aristotle’s “man is a social animal”) and modern science, Bloom shows how deep bonds—not just networking—fuel happiness.

Bloom shares a story of a tech founder who sold his company for millions, only to feel emptier than ever. Why? He’d sacrificed friendships for the grind. Studies back this up: Harvard’s 80-year happiness study found strong relationships, not wealth, predict long-term joy. Social Wealth has three pillars—breadth (a wide network), depth (close ties), and trust (reliable bonds)—and neglecting any leaves you poorer than you think.

**Key Takeaways:**

– **The Big Question:** “Who would you call at 3 a.m. if life fell apart?” It’s a gut check for who’s really in your corner.

– **Actionable Steps:** Bloom suggests rituals like weekly friend check-ins or hosting no-agenda dinners. Small moves build big trust.

– **Real Talk:** Quality beats quantity. One true friend beats a hundred LinkedIn contacts.

Social Wealth isn’t about being popular—it’s about being connected. Tomorrow, we’ll explore how your mind shapes your wealth.

Next Up: Mental Wealth – Clarity Is King

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is social wealth?: Social wealth is the measurement of the quality and depth of an individual's relationships, including family, friends, and professional networks.
What are the three pillars of social wealth?: Social wealth consists of three primary pillars: breadth (the size of your network), depth (the strength of close ties), and trust (the reliability of those bonds).
How do relationships impact long-term happiness?: Research, such as the Harvard Study of Adult Development, indicates that strong social connections are one of the most significant predictors of long-term happiness and health.