Is 27 the Age When Life Truly Gets Real? Discover What Changes at This Milestone

The age where life, money and the future start to feel “real” is officially 27 years old, according to new research.

Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Life Happens, a recent study of 2,000 Americans split evenly by generation (500 Gen Z, 500 millennials, 500 Gen X and 500 baby boomers) revealed that being an “adult” doesn’t automatically start the day you turn 18.

Today, a majority believe that the definition of “adulting” is simply paying your own bills (56%). Others say that being financially independent (45%) and putting responsibilities over their personal life or having fun (38%) are key markers of entering your adulthood era.

In fact, moving out of their parents’ or guardians’ house (46%) and getting their first career job or a job in their chosen field (28%) are two of the top events that made Americans feel like an adult. Still, 11% of Gen Zers don’t feel like an adult.