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Don't Let Financial Reality Bite: CFP Board Survey Reveals Gen X's Biggest Financial Regrets

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A generation of Americans, raised in a time of relative economic security, now faces a future fraught with financial uncertainty and regret. According to a recent survey by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, nearly 95% of Gen Xers believe their financial regrets have cost them real money, with the biggest regret being not adequately planning for retirement. Only 37% of Gen Xers are satisfied with their retirement savings, and over half (53%) wish they had planned for retirement earlier.

Key Takeaways:

  • 95% of Gen Xers believe their financial regrets have cost them real money, with 48% estimating losses of at least $100,000 over their lifetimes and 13% reporting losses of $500,000 or more.
  • Only 37% of Gen Xers are satisfied with their retirement savings, with over half (53%) wishing they had planned for retirement earlier.
  • Nearly 3 in 5 (59%) of Gen Xers recommend that younger Americans start saving for retirement now, even in small amounts.
  • 41% of Gen Xers recommend creating an emergency fund, and 39% recommend starting to invest as soon as possible.
  • 21% of Gen Xers recommend working with a financial advisor, like a CFP(R) professional, as soon as possible.

Statistics:

  • 37% of Gen Xers are satisfied with their retirement savings.
  • 53% of Gen Xers wish they had planned for retirement earlier.
  • 48% of Gen Xers estimate their financial missteps have cost them at least $100,000 over their lifetimes.
  • 13% of Gen Xers report losses of $500,000 or more.
  • 59% of Gen Xers recommend starting to save for retirement now, even in small amounts.

About the Survey:

  • The survey was conducted between July 30th and August 1st, 2025.
  • The survey generated 941 responses, with a sampling error of +/- 3.0% at the 95% confidence interval.

Sources:

  • "Lessons Learned: A Survey of American Gen Xers" by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.
  • "CFP Board Survey Uncovers Gen X's Biggest Financial Regrets" by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (Originally published on September 2025)
  • "About CFP Board" by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards
  • "Let's Make a Plan" at LetsMakeAPlan.org.

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