Additionally, only 38% of Gen Xers believe they can retire when they originally planned, and more than half of this demographic expect to withdraw funds from their retirement accounts early to cover short-term costs.<\/p>\n
“For employers, this isn\u2019t a future problem. Financial anxiety during peak career years can affect focus and engagement,” PwC researchers write. “If the risks are clear, the question is why more employees aren\u2019t taking action. It\u2019s not a lack of desire. Most employees want stability, confidence and to feel in control. But many don\u2019t feel equipped to get there.”<\/p>\n
TEEN INVESTOR BOOM: WHY WALL STREET IS CHASING YOUNGEST GENERATIONS EARLIER THAN EVER<\/a><\/p>\n The primary driver of this retirement delay<\/a> is the inability to save as inflation eats away at monthly expenses, the report notes. Twenty-five percent of the total workforce is living without a buffer, and nearly half cannot meet basic household expenses.<\/p>\n Nearly half of Gen X workers are delaying retirement, PwC reports. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n “[Forty-nine percent] say their compensation isn\u2019t keeping up with costs. As expenses rise faster than income, day-to-day trade-offs are becoming routine. Employees aren\u2019t just feeling squeezed. They\u2019re making difficult financial decisions to stay afloat,” the PwC report continues..<\/p>\n As a result, when Gen Xers<\/a> cannot afford to leave their current jobs, the entire corporate ladder stalls, creating business risks, with companies facing higher costs as older talent remains on payroll longer than expected.<\/p>\n BlackRock Global Head of Retirement Solutions Nick Nefouse joins \u2018Varney & Co.\u2019 to discuss a proposed rule expanding 401(k)s to crypto and real estate.<\/p>\n “When employees dip into retirement funds early or delay retirement altogether, it affects more than personal finances and retirement plan leakage,” the report says. “It may also influence workforce planning, healthcare costs, succession timing and overall organizational stability.”<\/p>\n The findings also show that a significant portion \u2013 41% \u2013 of the workforce feel they were never given the tools to manage a crisis of this magnitude, leading to a sense of being “overwhelmed” by financial choices.<\/p>\n![\"Man](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gen-x-employee-stressed-office.jpg\")
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