Retirement Read Time: 3 min

A Meal for All Generations

A Meal For All Generations. Millennials, Gen Xers, and baby boomers are often portrayed as a trio constantly at economic odds with one another. But how much of this is actually true? There's no denying that these groups are different, but they may have more in common than you might think.

Born approximately between 1981 and 1996 (1). Driven, civic-minded, open-minded on diversity, achievement-oriented (2). Historical Experiences: Columbine, 9/11, the Internet, the Great Recession. Motivations: Responsibility, work-life balance, experiences, financial security. Roughly 72 million millennials in the United States (3). The most diverse generation in U.S. history (4). Seventy-eight percent of Millennial workers are saving for retirement (5). Fun fact: Millennials read 5 books a year on average (6).

Generation X: Born approximately between 1965 and 1980 (1). Flexible, informal, skeptical, and independent. Historical Experiences: The AIDs epidemic, the Fall of the Berlin Wall, the Birth of MTV, the Dot-Com Boom. Motivations: Diversity, work-life balance, personal growth, learning (2). Roughly 65 million Gen-Xers in the United States (3). Gen Xers make up the highest percentage of startup founders at 55% (2). Gen Xers will outnumber baby boomers by 2028 (2). Fun fact: Gen X was the first generation to grow up with personal computers. (7)

Baby Boomers: Born between 1946 and 1964 (1). Optimistic, competitive, workaholic, team-oriented. Historical Experiences: The Vietnam War, Civil Rights Movement, Watergate, The Space Race. Motivations: Loyalty, duty, travel, family (2). Roughly 69 million baby boomers in the United States (3). Baby boomers own 51% of all wealth in the U.S. (8). Baby boomers spend $935 on average per year on their pets (9). Fun fact: Baby boomers own $17 trillion in personal real estate (10)

Sources: 1. Yahoo.com, May 12, 2025 2. PurdueGlobal.edu, 2025 3. Statista.com, 2025 4. Britannica.com, May 20, 2025 5. Napa-net.org, 2025 (based on a 2023 report) 6. ExpertEditor.com, May 1, 2024 7. Britannica.com, April 20, 2025 8. FederalReserve.gov, 2025 9. MarketWatch.com, February 18, 2025 10. FreddieMac.com, December 2024

Have A Question About This Topic?

Related Content

The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds

The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds

Understanding some basic concepts may help you assess whether zero-coupon bonds have a place in your portfolio.

The Sequence of Returns

The Sequence of Returns

A look at how variable rates of return impact investors over time.

What Is a Roth 401(k)?

What Is a Roth 401(k)?

Roth 401(k) plans combine features of traditional 401(k) plans with those of a Roth IRA.