Closing the Gap: Retirement planning for Gen X

As part of our ongoing retirement planning series examining the unique opportunities and challenges facing different generations, we're turning our attention to Generation X. After exploring retirement lessons from Baby Boomers and the Great Wealth Transfer, we're now focusing on Gen X, with upcoming episodes dedicated to Millennials and Gen Z. Generation X is entering its peak retirement planning years, but many are facing a retirement landscape that looks very different from the one their parents experienced. Between rising costs, economic uncertainty, caring for aging parents, supporting college-age children, and the decline of traditional pensions, many Gen Xers are asking the same question: Is it too late to catch up? In this episode of Economic Insights by Nationwide, host Brian Kirk is joined by Tom Duncan and Dee Dee Chadwick of Nationwide's Advanced Consulting Group to discuss what's keeping Gen X up at night about retirement. Together, they explore retirement readiness, common savings gaps, healthcare planning, longevity risk, retirement income strategies, and the practical steps Gen Xers can take now to improve their financial outlook. They also discuss why working with a financial professional may help simplify complex retirement decisions and provide the confidence needed to navigate an increasingly uncertain financial future. Whether you're just starting to plan or reassessing your retirement strategy, this conversation offers actionable insights to help close the gap and prepare for what's ahead. Topics discussed: Retirement planning, Generation X, retirement readiness, retirement savings, healthcare costs, retirement income, financial planning, longevity risk, Medicare, Social Security, retirement strategies, financial advisors, economic uncertainty, and retirement confidence. [NFM-25780AO] Key Moments: 04:21 Retirement readiness statistics reveal major planning gaps 06:25 Risks of inflation, healthcare costs, and market losses 07:31 Understanding longevity risk 08:39 Why many Gen Xers feel behind on retirement savings 10:47 The sandwich generation challenge 13:07 Can Gen X still catch up? 15:46 Most important planning considerations for Gen X 16:48 Healthcare planning before Medicare 20:06 Avoiding costly retirement withdrawal penalties 22:49 Social Security timing considerations 23:54 Why many Gen Xers may need professional guidance 24:48 How financial professionals help reduce uncertainty 28:22 Finding the right financial advisor 34:17 Final retirement planning advice for Gen X 36:32 Key takeaways and closing thoughts