Lost Generation X: Only a third think they’ll be able to retire by age 65

Many members of Generation X are pessimistic about their retirement prospects. Only one-third believe they will retire by age 65, according to a new survey by the real estate education platform Clever Real Estate.

“Americans continuously experience stress over their finances,” the survey report said. “Gen X is no exception. Even more sobering, 68% of Gen X worries they will have to reduce their standard of living in retirement. More than half also are concerned they won’t be able to afford housing in retirement amid rising home prices, without a significant dip in sight.”

Among the key findings of the survey:

• A majority of Gen Xers (56%) have less than $100,000 saved for retirement, compared to the recommended $550,000 Americans need to retire
• 22% have nothing saved for retirement, and 20% have never actually saved for retirement.
• Gen X women are 53% more likely to have never saved for retirement than Gen X men.
• 58% say they have less saved at their current age than they expected they would.
• Gen Xers who are married or in long-term partnerships are 20% more likely to currently save for retirement than their single peers.
• 69% want to retire before age 65, but only 37% believe they actually will be able to retire by then.
• 1 in 5 Gen Xers aren’t confident they’ll be able to retire before 80.
• One in 10 believe they never will be able to retire.
• 4% of Gen Xers don’t want to ever retire.
• Nearly 40% aren’t confident they’ll be able to afford retirement.
• Almost 80% of Gen Xers report carrying some form of debt. More than half of those are carrying at least $10,000 in non-mortgage debt.
• Almost half carry month-over-month credit card debt. Of those, a majority (55%) carries at least $5,000 in credit card debt.
• Gen X members, who are now in their 40s and 50s, believe it was easier for boomers to save money for retirement than for their own generation.
• 44% blame boomers for the poor economic state of the United Sates.
• 9 in 10 have financial regrets, including 43% who wish they had saved more.

Related: Gen Z, millennials, Gen X & boomers: How each generation plans to save, invest in 2023

“Financial planning can help Gen Xers prepare for retirement and maintain their standard of living,” the report concluded. “Those who haven’t done so should consider starting now. Gen X is in their prime earning years and nearing retirement, with unique financial pressures, such as having to support parents and children.

“Although there is some uncertainty about what the future holds for Social Security and retirement reform, Gen X can find some peace of mind by focusing on what they can control regarding their financial future.”