Core Insights - Generation X is facing a retirement crisis, with a report indicating they have a "fragile retirement foundation" and may enter retirement less secure than any previous generation [1][2] - The median retirement savings for Gen X is alarmingly low, with women saving $6,000 and men saving $13,000, and only 14% have access to traditional pensions compared to 56% of baby boomers [1] Group 1: Financial Preparedness - Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980, is currently aged 45 to 60, a critical period for increasing retirement savings [2] - This generation is often referred to as the "sandwich generation," as they are financially supporting both aging parents and their own children, leading to inadequate retirement preparation [2] Group 2: Economic Challenges - Gen X has experienced eight recessions, rising higher education costs, and significant stock market corrections, contributing to their financial struggles [4] - The shift from traditional pensions to defined contribution plans has placed the responsibility of retirement savings on workers, which has negatively impacted Gen X's financial security [5] Group 3: Reliance on Social Security - The report highlights that Social Security is facing "structural shortfalls," and Gen X is expected to rely heavily on it, despite it only being designed to replace about 40% of a retiree's pre-retirement income [5]