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Data & Research August 12, 2025
Retirement Readiness Elusive for 27% of Gen X
A new survey of members of Generation X by PulteGroup found that more than one-quarter of respondents said they may never be ready to retire.
Reported by Edward Rueda
The eldest members of Generation X are turning 60 this year, but a new survey by homebuilding company PulteGroup Inc. found that many may not leave the workplace anytime soon. When asked about retirement, 27% of those surveyed said they may never be ready to retire.
Among that group of respondents, 34% said financial concerns were keeping them from retiring. Another 20% said they were afraid of being bored in retirement, and 20% said they found fulfillment in the work they do.
Most survey participants reported not wanting to live in a traditional retirement community. Only 38% wanted to live exclusively among people their own age, while 62% wanted to live among a mix of generations and life stages. Among respondents age 53 or older, 66% said they wanted to live among a mixed-age population.
As Gen Xers approach their golden years, 35% of survey participants said music preferences are one aspect of their youth that remains part of their identity. Other aspects included an obsession with 1980s and 1990s movies (22%), taking pride in not being addicted to technology (15%) and questioning authority (14%).
PulteGroup’s market research division conducted an online survey with 1,177 American members of Generation X in May.