A new survey from the CFP Board reveals that financial regrets have cost the typical Generation X American nearly $100,000 – a sobering figure as the generation raised on MTV and Saturday morning cartoons approaches retirement age.
The study, conducted in late July and early August, polled 941 Americans aged 46 to 64 with household incomes above $25,000.
The findings of the report highlight the enduring impact of early financial decisions, with many Gen Xers now reflecting on the choices made during their formative years, a period marked by the rise of 401(k) plans and the challenges of the Great Recession.
According to the report, 95% of Gen Xers say their financial missteps have cost them money, with a median loss approaching $100,000 over their lifetimes. More than one-third of respondents estimate their regrets have cost them between $100,000 and $499,000, while 13% put the figure at half a million dollars or more.
The most common regret, shared by 33% of respondents: not starting to save for retirement early enough. “The most significant takeaway from Generation X Americans is that it is never too early to start planning for retirement,” the report notes.
Forty-three percent of respondents admitted that, in their 20s and 30s, they believed they had plenty of time to prepare for the future – a misconception that has proven costly.
Only 37% of Gen Xers report being satisfied with their retirement savings. The gap is especially pronounced among women and those with household incomes below $100,000, with just one-fourth of women expressing satisfaction compared to nearly half of men.
Gen Xers, often described as the original latchkey kids, have navigated a financial landscape shaped by both analog and digital influences.
The report points out that many in this group set personal and financial goals years ago, but success in achieving those goals has been mixed. Just over two in five say they have achieved their overall life goals, while fewer than two in five feel they have met their financial targets.
Looking back, many Gen Xers cite misconceptions from their younger years, such as thinking credit cards were a good way to fund a lifestyle or believing that budgeting was only for people struggling financially.
“Many Gen Xers thought in their 20s and 30s that they had more time to save for retirement,” the report states.
The consequences of these regrets extend beyond bank accounts. Nearly half of respondents say financial missteps have led to increased stress and anxiety, while 37% report a reduced sense of financial security.
For some, the impact has meant delaying retirement, missing out on travel or leisure, or postponing major life milestones.
Other recommendations include creating an emergency fund, starting to invest as soon as possible, and being mindful of spending as income grows.
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