Reality Bites: Gen X is Nearing Retirement and More than Half Don’t Believe They’ll be Financially Ready When the Time Comes, According to Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress Study

September 9, 2025 by Northwestern Mutual

MILWAUKEE, Sept. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The oldest members of Generation X turn 60 in 2025 and many in the “middle child” generation find themselves hurtling closer to their retirement years with deep uncertainties about the state of their finances. The latest findings from Northwestern Mutual’s 2025 Planning & Progress Study reveal that more than half (54%) of Gen X’ers – born between 1965 and 1980 – think they won’t be financially prepared for retirement when the time comes.

The study also finds Gen X’ers think they’ll need $1.57 million to retire comfortably – $310,000 more than the “magic number” national average. When Gen Xers who have saved something for retirement were asked how much they have saved as a multiple of their current annual income, the #1 answer (17%) was 2x.

“Many Gen X’ers are juggling responsibilities on both ends, supporting aging parents while still helping their children,” said Jeff Sippel, chief strategy officer at Northwestern Mutual. “So, they’re feeling the pressure of being part of the sandwich generation. They’re also the first generation to truly feel the impact of the move from defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans. All of this puts more of the burden of financial planning on their shoulders. That’s where a comprehensive financial plan custom-built by a trusted advisor can make a real impact. It can help Gen X’ers get clarity on what they need as they head toward their retirement years and put a realistic gameplan in place to get there.”

Reality Bites: Gen X’ers think outliving their savings is significantly more likely than being able to leave an inheritance

More than half (56%) of Gen X’ers think it’s likely they’ll outlive their savings as compared to 40% of Boomers+, according to the research. It’s not surprising, therefore, that Gen X’ers express the most concern about being able to afford retirement. They’re also the least likely among all generations to say they expect to leave an inheritance.

“The nature of support is changing,” said Sippel. “Parents are living longer and that’s compelling Gen X to provide more extended financial assistance than Boomers did with their parents. Plus, Gen X’s children need more support with the cost of college, child care, health care, and housing all going up. Gen X is feeling the pinch, and we see it in the data.”

Dazed & Confused: Gen X’ers are less sure of themselves as financial planners when compared to Boomers+

The research finds that Gen X’ers have significantly less clarity than Boomers+ on a range of issues in their financial lives, including how inflation and taxes could impact retirement, strategies to address healthcare and long-term care needs, and more.

Risky Business: Gen X’ers are prone to a common blind spot

Half (50%) of Gen X’ers say they’ve had a financial blind spot when it comes to managing their finances – they feel they’ve placed too much emphasis on building wealth without dedicating enough to protecting their assets. The numbers for Boomers+ who say the same are significantly lower – 35%.

“Growth without protection can leave people vulnerable,” said Sippel. “Especially as you get older, safeguarding what you’ve built is just as critical as continuing to build. A holistic plan should account for both.”

Office Space: Planning to continue working

Nearly half (48%) of Gen X surveyed are planning to continue working during their retirement years, or already are. Less than one third (30%) of Boomers+ say the same. 

Most Gen X’ers working or planning to work in retirement say they will continue to work out of necessity – to be in a position to afford retirement. A third (34%) say it will be part-time at a different job, and a quarter (24%) say it will be full-time at a different job.

Before Sunrise: Financial uncertainty is keeping Gen X’ers up at night

More than a third (35%) of Gen X’ers say uncertainty about finances keeps them up at night at least once a month, while for Boomers+ it’s 14%.

One thing weighing on the minds of roughly half of Gen X’ers is whether Social Security will be there for them when they qualify for it. That question is neck-and-neck with, “How much will I need to retire comfortably?” among the most important retirement issues for Gen X’ers. And it clearly stands apart from how Millennials and Boomers+ are thinking about Social Security.

Additionally, the research shows that Gen X’ers trail Boomers+ across a range of health, wealth, and wellness issues.

Stand By Me: Fewer Gen X’ers get professional financial advice than Boomers+

Gen X’ers are less likely than Boomers+ to have sought professional help for their finances. The survey finds that 33% of Gen X’ers currently work with an advisor – 10 percentage points lower than the 43% of Boomers+ who do the same.

“A financial advisor can bring structure and strategy to what otherwise might feel overwhelming,” said Sippel. “For Gen X, who are navigating a complex mix of responsibilities and goals, that kind of support can make the difference between feeling lost and feeling empowered.”

About the 2025 Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress Study 

The 2025 Planning & Progress Study was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Northwestern Mutual among 4,626 U.S. adults aged 18 or older. The survey was conducted online between January 2 and January 19, 2025. Data are weighted where necessary by age, gender, race/ethnicity, region, education, marital status, household size, household income, and propensity to be online to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population. A complete survey methodology is available.

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what’s most important. With nearly $700 billion of total assetsⁱ being managed across the company’s institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, more than $38 billion in revenues, and $2.4 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 109 on the 2025 FORTUNE 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE® as one of the “World’s Most Admired” life insurance companies in 2025.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “Advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual

Originally Posted at PR Newswire on Sept 9, 2025 by Northwestern Mutual.