Noblesse oblige emerges (with time): Power enhances intergenerational beneficence

•The experience of power in intergenerational decisions evokes social responsibility.•Social responsibility leads to generosity to future others.•Consequently, power enhances intergenerational beneficence.•The mediator is responsibility to look out for others’ long term interests.

Across four experiments, we examine how the experience of power affects intergenerational decision-making. We argue, and empirically demonstrate, that the experience of power enhances intergenerational beneficence. This effect emerges because the experience of power in intergenerational dilemmas prompts a sense of social responsibility among powerholders. In particular, the experience of power in intergenerational contexts leads people to feel an obligation to look out for the long-term interests of others, which in turn enhances generosity to future others. Thus, the positive effect of power on intergenerational beneficence is mediated by a sense of responsibility to look after others’ long-term interests.