THE GREAT CONSUMER DILEMMA
- THE MILLENIALS
• The Millennial generation (born between 1981 – 1996) will overtake Baby Boomers as the largest adult population group in the United States, expected to reach 73 million in 2019.1
• 58% of millennials have under $5,000 in a savings account, about 19% have between $5,000 and $15,000, and 11% have between $15,000 and $50,000.2
• Although they begin saving earlier than other generations, 66% have nothing saved for retirement.3 - GENERATION X
• Generation X is a smaller group sandwiched between Millennials and Baby Boomers and now mostly middle aged - will finally outnumber Baby Boomers 2028.1
• Their overall debt load is the highest of any generation. Not only is their credit card debt higher than any other generation, those between ages 35-44 have an average overall debt of $152,400.4
• The median retirement savings for Generation X is only $35,000.4 - THE BABY BOOMERS
• Baby Boomers are putting pressure on the U.S. health-care system and Medicare costs. According to the Census Bureau, by 2030, when “all Baby Boomers will be older than age 65,” 1 in 5 U.S. residents will be of retirement age.5
• 10,000 Baby Boomers hit age 65 every day and their median retirement savings is just under $180,000. 45% of this Baby Boomers have zero savings for retirement, yet they control over 70% of the country’s disposable income.6
• Retirees must begin taking Required Minimum Distributions from their IRAs and 401K plans each year, starting at age 70 ½ and are subject to Ordinary Income Tax on 100% of each distribution.
Failure to take these distributions could result in a 50% IRS penalty on the amount that should have been withdrawn that year.7
THE SENIORS
• Most seniors have more than one chronic health care issue. Recently the National Council on Aging found that 75% of seniors have at least one chronic health condition, and that most have two or more.8
• 21% of married Social Security recipients and 43% of single recipients aged 65+ depend on Social Security for 90% or more of their income.9
• The cost of Social Security will exceed its income in 2020 for the first time since 1982. The program’s reserve fund is projected to be depleted in 2035.10