Gen X is known for a lot of things, from giving the world the gift of grunge and popularizing coffee shops to its independent, pragmatic — and yeah, sarcastic — streak. Often called “the latchkey generation,” left mostly on their own, Gen X has done its best to thrive while being sandwiched between two generations that have gotten a lot of conversation, the Baby Boomers and the Millennials.
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But this doesn’t mean that Gen X still doesn’t need some care and attention — even when it comes to personal finances. With many Xers coming into that actuarial sweet spot where they’re considering what they want their retirement to look like, understanding where they may have gaps in their knowledge about money is essential. Knowing how to get around these financial blind spots will help them make it down the road to their own golden years, flannel flapping in the wind.
Gen X is often called the “sandwich” generation — and it’s not because they know how to make a mean hoagie. This group is stuck taking care of elderly parents while giving aid to their kids, who, as young adults, are graduating into difficult financial circumstances. Meanwhile, they’re prone to neglecting their own retirement savings.
A headline from Kiplinger puts it bluntly: “Gen X Retirement Is In Trouble.” Writer Adam Shell breaks down the crux of the problem, stating that “half (48%) of Gen Xers, or Americans between the ages of 44 and 59, say they have not done any retirement planning, according to the recently released Schroders 2024 U.S. Retirement Survey. This lack of planning exceeds the 41% of Millennials and Baby Boomers who say they lack a retirement savings game plan.”
One fast and relatively easy way for Gen Xers to start building more robust retirement savings from the ground up is to start maxing out their 401(k)s, and, if they’re able to once they hit the big 5-0, start with catch up contributions of up to $7,500. For 2025, the IRS allows an additional “super catch-up” between ages 60 and 63, with a limit that is the greater of $10,000 or 150% of the regular catch-up limit — up to $11,250.
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Gen Xers came of age at a time when 401(k)s were becoming all the rage and the pensions that their parents relied on in retirement were being phased out. It would make sense, then, that some Xers might not be aware of the full spectrum of financial products that can help them afford a comfortable retirement. If they haven’t already, now is the time to open a Roth or a traditional IRA, while also exploring other options like annuities that offer stable payments over time.
