Gen X Is Running Out of Time to Retire Comfortably – Here’s How to Fix It Before It’s Too Late

Let’s Get Real About Your Retirement

If you’re part of Generation X, you’ve been playing by the rules. You’ve worked hard, paid your bills, maybe even put some money into a 401(k). But deep down, you’re wondering:

“Do I actually have enough to retire?”

You’re not alone. In fact, only 45% of Gen Xers feel confident about their retirement future. The rest? They’re either too afraid to look at the numbers or trying to convince themselves that “everything will work out.”

I’ll be blunt: Hoping things work out is not a strategy.

You need a plan. A real, actionable strategy that ensures you have the money, security, and confidence to retire on your terms—without worrying about the stock market, inflation, or whether Social Security will even be there for you.

Let me show you exactly what’s going wrong—and more importantly, how to fix it today.

Why Most Gen Xers Are Losing The Retirement Game (And How to Win Instead)

The Silent Retirement Killer: No More Pensions

Your parents had it easy. They worked a job for 30 years, collected a guaranteed pension, and lived comfortably in retirement.

You? You got stuck with a 401(k), a bunch of confusing investment options, and zero guarantees.

The result? Market crashes, bad financial advice, and not nearly enough saved.

Without a pension, you must create your own guaranteed retirement income—or risk running out of money too soon. If you don’t have a strategy for that, it’s time to talk.

The Truth About Your 401(k): It’s Probably Not Enough

Do this right now:

• Log into your 401(k).
• Look at your balance.
• Be honest—does that number feel like enough to support you for 20+ years of retirement?

For most Gen Xers, the answer is no. The average 401(k) balance is only $98,000—when you probably need closer to $1.5 million.

And yet, people keep making the same mistakes:

• Not maxing out contributions (or worse, ignoring catch-up contributions after 50).
• Investing too conservatively or too aggressively—both can be disastrous.
• Not having a withdrawal strategy—which means you could accidentally drain your savings too fast.

If your current “plan” is hoping the market doesn’t crash right before you retire, it’s time to get serious. I can help you fix this today.

The Stock Market Is NOT a Retirement Plan

If you were investing during the 2008 crash, you remember what happened. Trillions of dollars vanished. People who were “set” for retirement suddenly weren’t.

Now, with inflation soaring and the market swinging wildly, Gen Xers are terrified of another crash right before they retire.

• The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) found that 60% of Gen Xers fear a major market downturn within five years of retiring.
• Inflation hit 9% in 2022, eroding the value of your savings.
• Many 401(k) plans are too stock-heavy, leaving you at risk of losing big just when you need the money most.

Retirement should feel secure. If you don’t know exactly how to protect your money from inflation and market crashes, let’s fix that now.

Social Security Won’t Save You

If you’re counting on Social Security to cover your retirement, I have some bad news:

• The Social Security Trust Fund is projected to be depleted by 2033—meaning future benefits may be cut.
• If you claim at 62, you’re locking in a 30% lower benefit for life.
• Waiting until 70 can increase your monthly check by 8% per year—but most people claim too early out of fear.

The good news? There’s a way to maximize your Social Security benefits and create additional guaranteed income streams. But most people don’t know how.

That’s where I come in.

Here’s How to Take Back Control of Your Retirement—Starting Today

If you’re feeling behind on savings, unsure about your investments, or just tired of hoping things magically work out—here’s what you need to do right now.

1. Get Serious About Catching Up

• Max out your 401(k)—the 2024 limit is $23,000 (plus $7,500 more if you’re over 50).
• Open a Roth IRA for tax-free withdrawals in retirement.
• Use a Solo 401(k) or SEP IRA if you’re self-employed—you can contribute way more than a standard IRA.

2. Stop Gambling With Your Investments

• If your portfolio is all stocks, you’re taking on too much risk—a market crash at the wrong time could devastate your retirement.
• If you’re too conservative, inflation will eat away your savings.
• The right mix of stocks, bonds, real estate, and inflation-protected assets will keep your money growing safely.

3. Have a Withdrawal Plan That Doesn’t Leave You Broke

• Taking money out of your 401(k) too soon could mean massive tax penalties.
• Withdrawing too much too fast could drain your savings in 10 years instead of 30.
• A tax-efficient retirement income plan ensures your money lasts as long as you do.

If you don’t know exactly how much you’ll need—or how to make it last—it’s time to talk.

Here’s the Deal: You Need a Plan—And I Can Help You Create One

I’ve helped countless Gen Xers go from “I don’t even want to look at my retirement accounts” to “I have a plan, I feel confident, and I know exactly what to do.”

It starts with a simple conversation.

• No pressure.
• No judgment.
• Just clear, honest advice on how to fix your retirement strategy today—so you can stop worrying about money and start looking forward to your future.

Here’s What to Do Next

Click below and send me an email right now. Tell me a little about your retirement situation, and I’ll personally respond with my best recommendations.

sarah@theschlottco.com

Time is running out. Every year you wait makes it harder to catch up. Don’t put this off.

Send me a message now—I’ll help you take control before it’s too late.