One in three Gen-Xers expect to work during retirement

January 5, 2017

By Sheryl Smolkin

According to a recent TD survey, more than two-thirds of Canadians between the ages of 35 and 54 say they’re not saving enough for retirement, and one in four say not being ready for retirement is keeping them up at night. As a result, the majority of Gen-X Canadians (60%) who aren’t saving enough do not expect to be able to retire on time and half as many (29%) expect to still be working in some capacity during retirement.

The top barrier preventing Gen-Xers from retiring on time is everyday financial demands like living expenses, mortgage or rent, and childcare costs (61%), followed by existing debt (42%) and major unexpected life events such as divorce or death of a spouse (19%). Given these challenges, it’s not surprising that more than half (54%) of Gen-X Canadians surveyed say they need help meeting their financial goals, with a majority feeling guilty about not saving enough for retirement and wishing they had started earlier.

If you have fallen behind in saving for retirement, here are some ways you can get on track to achieving your savings goals and become retirement-ready.

Track your spending
More than three in five (61%) Gen-Xers attribute everyday financial demands as the reason they don’t expect to retire on time. Keeping a record of your spending is a simple way to see where your money goes each month and look for ways to cut back on expenses to free up funds and help boost your savings.

Once you’ve identified some monthly savings, consider arranging for those funds to be transferred automatically into Saskatchewan Pension Plan, a Retirement Savings Plan (RSP) or Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). As you identify even more savings over time, you can increase the amount transferred automatically each month. Remember to also factor in any additional money you receive throughout the year such as annual raises or bonuses.

Tackle your debt while also saving
Four in ten (42%) Gen-Xers attribute existing debt as a top reason that prevents them from retiring on time. While everyone’s financial picture is different, there are a few key steps you can take immediately to help pay down debt while building up savings:

• As you start tracking your spending and becoming more in control of your finances, take a look at where your money is going and determine where you can free up cash flow to go towards paying down debt.
• Seek out groups and communities – either online or in your neighbourhood – where you can sell stuff you no longer use or need, and use those funds to pay down your debt. One person’s junk is another person’s treasure.
• Look for tips and tools online, like this Debt Repayment Calculator, to help you become organized by determining how much you owe and prioritizing what to tackle first. You can stay on top of your debt more easily when you have a repayment plan.

According to the survey, of Gen-Xers who are already saving for the future, the majority (64%) rely on RSPs to help fund their retirement. If you have RSP savings room, this video will show you how easy it is to join the Saskatchewan Pension Plan. SPP is an easy, flexible, cost-effective way that any Canadian over age 18 can save $2,500/year. You can also transfer an additional $10,000 a year into your SPP account from another RSP.

Gen X, Gen-X Canadians, Retirement Savings Plan, RSP, Saskatchewan Pension Plan, SPP, Tax-Free Savings Account, TD, TFSA

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