How Retirement Planning Is Changing With Each Generation

Every generation has its differences. One such disparity is the view on retirement and the amount of focus put into retirement planning. For instance, Baby Boomers have lived through many ups and downs in the market. From the stock market crash of 1987 to the 2008 Recession, they have experienced many events with the potential to upset their finances and retirement savings. What’s more, much of this generation predates the employer sponsored retirement plans and 401(k)s we’ve become accustomed to today and, as such, rely more heavily on pensions and Social Security in old age. Data shows factors such as these have contributed to the fact that 70% of Baby Boomers either do not plan on retiring or expect to or are already working beyond the age of 65.

The generation after them, Gen X, also have had to contend with those same events as well as the Tech Revolution. Of course, it’s not all bad news for the “latchkey generation,” as they report relatively high participation rates in company retirement plans and, on average, started saving around 30 years old, which is comparatively earlier than older generations. Surveys show nearly 60% of Gen X workers are confident they’ll have enough wealth in retirement to maintain their lifestyles. Fortunately for the others, there’s still time for Gen X workers to invest wisely and grow a substantial nest egg.

Despite the similarities among age groups, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for retirement planning. That being said, if you want to be more proactive about saving, there are services available that can help. Whether you’re just getting started or retirement is right around the corner, it pays to prioritize your comfort in later life today.

Below is a brief look into how each generation fares on the topic and what has been brought to light through financial research from Longbridge Financial, a reverse mortgage company.