US Gen X Financial Strain Deepens as 70% Live Paycheck to Paycheck

2 articles · Updated · PYMNTS.com · Sep 21

Seven in 10 U.S. Gen X consumers now live paycheck to paycheck, with PYMNTS data showing financial pressure rising rather than easing through their peak earning years.
Nearly $96,000 in annual household spending helps explain the squeeze: the roughly 65 million Americans aged 46 to 61 are often covering college costs, retirement savings and support for aging parents at once.
That strain stands out because 74% of Gen Xers self-report prime or super-prime credit scores, suggesting strong credit has not insulated the cohort from day-to-day cash-flow stress.
PYMNTS said the pressure has climbed over as much as six years of survey data, even as the millennial cohort that draws more attention has remained roughly steady.