What is Generation X (Gen X)?

Generation X refers to the generation born before the millennial generation (often called generation Y) and after the baby boomers. Americans who fall between the age group of mid-1960s and early 1980s are called Gen X. 

How makes up Generation X (Gen X)?

Individuals born within the same time frame tend to exhibit common traits that results in their generation being named after a specific trait. 

Examples are: 

• the Greatest Generation (1901 to 1924), 
• the Silent Generation (1925 to 1945), 
• the Baby Boomers (1946 to 1964), among others. 

A novel by Douglas Coupland that was published in 1991, birthed the name “Generation X”. 

Generation X is often regarded as the ‘in-between’. generation because it overlaps with the Sandwich Generation. 

Gen X has a population of about 50 million in the United States. 

Research indicates that Generation X may have the following collective attributes:

• Gen X exhibit a higher level of self-direction when compared to Baby Boomers.
• Gen X clients have little time for financial advice, they prefer technological tools that monitor their finance.
• 72% of Baby Boomers trust their financial advisors while only half of Gen Xers feel this way.
• Gen X clients are busier and love performing tasks online.
• 73% of Gen X clients select an advisor based on peer review compared to 57% of Baby Boomers.
• Gen X avoid investment risks unlike baby boomers.