Subscribe to The Next-Level Income Show
Gen X and the Retirement Wake-Up Call: Why the Forgotten Generation Needs to Start Planning Now
In Episode 287 of the Next Level Income Show, I had the pleasure of speaking with Suzanne Norman, Director of External Relations and Education Fellow at the Retirement Income Institute, part of the Alliance for Lifetime Income. Suzanne brings over 30 years of experience in the investment industry—and as a fellow Gen Xer, she understands the unique financial pressure our generation faces today.
🔗 Meet Suzanne and other Fellows
🎯 Why This Episode Matters
Gen X is quietly approaching a retirement crisis. We’re squeezed between raising kids and caring for aging parents—earning us the nickname “the sandwich generation.” And while we’ve worked hard, the traditional retirement safety nets like pensions are mostly gone. Fewer than 4% of Americans today have access to a defined benefit pension plan, and only 14% of Gen X ever did.
We also carry more student debt, have experienced multiple market crashes, and face soaring healthcare costs. It’s no wonder confidence in retirement is low—but there’s good news. As Suzanne shared, working with a financial professional boosts retirement confidence by 23%.
🔒 The Role of Protected Income
One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation was the importance of protected income—income that you can count on for life, like Social Security or annuities. As pensions vanish, annuities are making a comeback, and Gen X is paying attention: 65% of Gen Xers said they’d use a $100,000 inheritance to purchase an annuity instead of investing in the market.
Learn more from the official paper:
📄 Gen X: The Forgotten Generation
🛠️ Tools to Help You Plan Smarter
The Alliance for Lifetime Income has developed tools to make planning easier, including:
-
ALI, a generative AI assistant that answers retirement income questions
-
The RISE Score, a free tool that helps you evaluate your retirement readiness—like a credit score for your future
Check them out at protectedincome.org
👩💼 Special Focus: Women and Retirement
We also touched on a critical point: women face unique financial challenges. They live longer, are more likely to be caregivers, and often defer financial decisions to spouses. Suzanne is passionate about helping women step into financial conversations with confidence. For tools, guides, and empowerment, visit her website:
🌐 www.suzannenorman.com
📌 Final Thoughts
Planning for retirement can feel overwhelming, especially for Gen X. But it doesn’t have to be. Start with a conversation. Use the tools. Find a trusted advisor. And remember: “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” —Eleanor Roosevelt
🧠 Want to go deeper?
🎧 Listen to the full episode now and learn how to move your income, your investments, and your life to the next level.
Listen To The Podcast Here:
I hope you found this episode valuable. Check out https://chris-larsen.mykajabi.com/coachingprogram to learn more about our coaching program and read some testimonials from our previous students. You can also book a call with us to learn more and find out if this program is good fit for you.
I have one more thing to give you. Visit our website to get a free copy of my book, audiobook, and much more. I’ll send you a copy of my book and cover all the shipping costs as a thank you for listening to the show. Also, please like, share, and take 90 seconds to give us a rating on Apple Podcasts.
Important Links:
Christopher Larsen is the founder and Managing Partner of Next-Level Income. Since “retiring” after 18 years in the medical device industry he dedicates his time to helping others become financially independent through education and investment opportunities. Chris has been investing in and managing real estate for over 20 years.
While completing his degree in Biomechanical Engineering and M.B.A. in Finance at Virginia Tech, he bought his first single-family rental at age 21. Chris expanded into development, private-lending, buying distressed debt as well as commercial office, and ultimately syndicating multifamily properties. He began syndicating deals in 2016 and has been actively involved in over $500M of real estate acquisitions.
In addition to real estate, Chris has invested in equities, oil & gas, and small business lending, as well as being active in Venture South, one of the nation’s Top 10 Angel Investing groups. Chris lives with his wife and two boys (and Viszla, Lucy!) in Asheville, NC where he loves spending time with them in the outdoors and enjoying the food and culture that the region has to offer.
Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
Join the Next- Level Income Show Community today:
Follow Us On Social Media:
Tagged: Group 4
Subscribe to The Next-Level Income Show