Wedged between Boomers and Millennials, Generation X—those born between 1965 and 1980—are sometimes overlooked and underestimated as the “middle child” of generations. At about 65.2 million strong, Gen Xers comprise a smaller group than their counterparts at about 71.6 million and 72.1 million, respectively, but are expected to surpass Boomers by 2028.1
The current disparity in size may lead to assumptions that Generation X carries less social influence despite being a generation that represents significant diversity. It may also translate to being more easily ignored than the larger groups and why some Gen Xers tend to “go it alone” and have a level of comfort with individualism:
Gen Xers generally take a practical, results-oriented approach to life
The original latchkey kids, Gen Xers tend to be independent and entrepreneurial in nature
Gen Xers have no trouble keeping up with Millennials when it comes to technology.2
Resigned to being “an afterthought,” the same autonomy that defines Generation X could be posing some challenges as they focus on retirement. Simply put, instead of seeking expert advice, Gen Xers may be more naturally inclined to a “DIY” approach when developing a retirement plan, sometimes with limited success.
Nearly two out of three Gen Xers believe they’re behind on saving for retirement—not surprising considering more than one-third say they don’t have a retirement account.3
Gen Xers need guidance for how they can combine their knowledge, instincts and savings to work for them as they move toward retirement.
Financial advisors are in a unique position to engage the next generation of retirees, truly understand their fears and needs and provide meaningful help in building retirement portfolios that reflect the goals, challenges and future of Generation X..
Generation X came of age professionally just as workplaces were rethinking how employees would be provided for in retirement. The phase-out of pension plans and shifting of retirement savings responsibility to individual employees vastly altered Gen X perceptions—and expectations—about retirement security.
The first generation to have access to 401(k) plans for the majority of their working careers, Gen Xers typically embraced participating in their employersponsored plans; however, many now realize they should have been saving more.
According to the latest data from 2016 more than 60% of Gen Xers participate in individual account retirement plans, but those accounts may fall far short of what they’ll need when they retire, with the average balance hovering around $60,000.4
Given that nearly 87% carry debt,4 some have written Generation X off as being spendthrifts, but insufficient salaries, a bad economy and work changes may be more likely culprits. It’s understandable that Generation X is facing an uphill battle in retirement preparation.
Some Gen Xers already struggled to recover from the Great Recession more than a decade ago, leading 31% to borrow from their retirement savings.5 Recent events only compound those difficulties, with one in four Americans raiding their retirement accounts due to a coronavirus-related job loss.6
Why might Generation X be less equipped to handle the challenge of another economic downturn? In addition to the aforementioned debt and dropping income levels, many Gen Xers also choose to financially support children and aging parents. It’s not difficult to see why some Gen X investors are opting to take a loan or early withdrawal from their retirement accounts—known as leakage.
Compounding the issue are rising expenses across all generations. Americans, in general, are spending less on entertainment and education but more on basic needs:7
Over the last year six in ten parents provided at least some financial support to their adult children.8 A staggering number of parents with kids living at home—8.2 million— are also providing eldercare for an aging parent of their own.9
Skeptical by nature, Generation X is uncertain about the future—and it seems to be paralyzing some into inaction when it comes to retirement planning. Like many, they may question the reliability of pensions, Social Security and Medicare in the future, and some feel ill-equipped to save enough to retire comfortably. Gen Xers generally recognize they need professional financial advice.5
Working with a financial advisor may help them achieve these goals:
The sandwich generation commitments don’t stop at finances. Time becomes a substantial investment, especially when caring for parents:
Considering some younger members of Generation X are in their early 40s, many expect to live for several more decades. Advances in medicine may partially contribute to reaching an advanced age, but healthy living, social engagement and financial security play important roles in living long and well.
The following factors may help them remain both healthy and wealthy.
Declining health that requires long-term care may be a significant retirement fear among Gen Xers. A list of some of the leading causes of death among those aged 35 to 54 may hint at their top health concerns:
Reversing unhealthy habits and determining how to cover the cost of unanticipated health-related events is imperative but not always easy without help. Gen Xers may have access to health and wellness programs through their employers to help make better decisions and establish a new normal for their lifestyles. Also, depending on the structure of their employer’s insurance plan, a health spending account (HSA) may be available as a tax-efficient vehicle to save money to curtail healthcare costs or cover expenses without taking funds from retirement savings.
While lifestyle choices and genetics certainly play a role, research shows that accessibility and feelings of connectivity are linked to improved longevity.11
Examples include the following:
Purposefully creating a “social portfolio” may help Gen Xers confront and overcome challenges they face as they transition through mid-life to retirement. The diligence applied to building social connections may yield significant returns not unlike an investment portfolio.
The amalgamation of financial pressures and goals Gen Xers face—from raising children and supporting aging parents or grown children to ensuring sufficient resources are available for their own retirement—is a challenge largely unique to Generation X. There’s no universal solution to these competing priorities, but there are a number of steps Gen Xers may take that lead to confident decision-making around finances:
Regardless of their situations, reinforcing that you’re there to assist them—not judge them—may help.
Gen Xers may want to lean into the client-advisor relationship you’ve redefined to recognize their circumstances and fit their unique needs. Those in Generation X have great potential for being long-term clients, and laying a solid foundation of understanding now will likely translate to future loyalty and trusted relationships.
Further, you have an opportunity to introduce risk control tools, like MEMBERS® Zone and Horizon annuities, to help Gen Xers maximize their savings efforts. These comprehensive annuities offer growth potential combined with guaranteed protection against loss, and they’re also easy to understand, explain and sell.
STATISTICAL SOURCES:
1Pew Research Center, Millennials overtake Baby Boomers as America’s largest generation, April 28, 2020.
2Pew Research Center, Millennials Stand Out for Their Technology Use, But Older Generations Also Embrace Digital Life, Sept. 9, 2019.
3CNBC.com, More than Half of Savers Say this About the Health of Their Retirement Accounts, Nov. 21, 2019.
4Employee Benefit Research Institute, Comparing the Financial Status of Generation X Families, June 27, 2019.
5MarketWatch, Caught in the middle: Generation X Needs to Focus on Retirement, But Isn’t, Nov. 2, 2019.
6CNBC.com, More than 1 In 4 Americans are Raiding Their Retirement Accounts After a Coronavirus-Related Job Loss, May 23, 2020.
7Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditures Survey Midyear Update News Release, April 28, 2020.
8Pew Research Center, About Six-in-Ten Parents Say They’ve Given at Least Some Financial Help to Their Adult Children in the Past Year,
October 21, 2019.
9Bureau of Labor Statistics, Unpaid Eldercare in the United States—2017-2018 Summary, November 22, 2019.
10Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Leading Causes of Death by Age Group—United States 2018.
11Penn State. (2020, March 10). Community factors influence how long you’ll live, study shows. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 22, 2020 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200310124706.htm.
12Health and Human Services, Healthy Aging, August 8, 2019.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
This material is informational only and is not investment advice. If you need advice regarding your financial goals and investment needs, contact a financial advisor.
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