WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — As 2015 comes to a close, AARP celebrates the first of America’s 62 million Generation Xers who hit a milestone and turned 50 this year by exploring what is important to them as they age. Gen X is the middle child generation that is sandwiched between their larger counterparts, Baby Boomers and Millennials. As they grow older, it is important to acknowledge that they are having a different experience than their cohorts, and that they are more than just an unsung demographic who wore parachute pants and acid wash jeans.

Gen Xers shoulder far more fiscal responsibilities than previous or future generations, as they financially support their children and provide care for their aging parents. Americans are facing the reality that as life expectancy increases they must continue working and must rethink their notion of aging and retiring.

Generation X Demographics

“AARP is excited to welcome Generation X to the 50-plus community and be a resource for them as they embrace their age and live the life that they want,” said Sami Hassanyeh, AARP Chief Digital Officer. “They face different challenges and have different goals than their predecessors, and deserve every opportunity to explore the possibilities that lie ahead.”

Though Gen Xers feel less financially secure than their parents in regards to retirement, they also plan to work longer and embrace new opportunities in this evolving life phase. Most people turning 50 today can expect to live another 30-plus years, and many are already taking steps towards increasing their longevity – 87 percent consider themselves in good health and 55 percent maintain a healthy diet. They are re-imagining this life transition and expect their future years to be more flexible and rewarding than ever before.

In the past year, 4.4 million Gen Xers hit the big-5-0, and in 2016, another 4.1 million are expected to join the ranks of Americans 50-plus. This group will be the next generation to challenge outdated perceptions of aging and empower people to take control of their futures.

Discover more Generation X insights on the AARP website. Also, please note some demographers and historians believe the years for Generation X are 1961 to 1981. 

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