25% of older Gen X and young boomer workers who have been laid off in the past decade haven’t been able to find a new job since

Many Gen X workers want to delay retirement due to rising living costs and delayed benefits—but many are being forced out of the workforce after layoffs, with few job prospects. Nearly 1 in 4 laid-off Gen Xers couldn’t find new work, and those who did often had to accept lower pay or endure longer periods of unemployment compared to younger workers. Despite decades of experience, older employees are often seen as less desirable hires, particularly in competitive senior roles.

Financial pressure is intense. A full 81% of Gen Xers say their current income doesn’t provide financial security, more than any other generation. Many are caring for both aging parents and children, while also managing the highest average debt load in the country. These stressors, combined with persistent inflation, are pushing many to keep working well past traditional retirement age—not out of choice, but necessity.

Yet even as they try to stay employed, Gen X workers are often overlooked or undervalued. Nearly half of workers over 40 report earning less than younger colleagues for the same work, and about 22% say they’ve been passed over for major assignments due to age. Many feel invisible at work: Gen X is 18% less likely than other generations to feel a sense of belonging at their organization and 30% less likely to say they’re meaningfully recognized.

This growing disconnect has serious implications—not only for the individuals affected, but for the broader workforce. As companies focus on hiring younger talent, they risk losing institutional knowledge, leadership stability, and experienced mentorship. Gen X, which makes up a third of the U.S. workforce, is too large and too experienced to be sidelined without consequences.