Yes, millennials do face more financial obstacles than earlier generations

A report from the Society of Actuaries finds millennials really do have it tougher, financially, than their parents.

Fifty-six percent of millennials say they have it harder than their parents’ generation when it comes to financial security — and quite a few among the older generations agree with them. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Millennials are overwhelmed — more so than earlier generations — when considering their financial situation.

In fact, 40% of them say so, compared with just 22% of all other generations.

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So says a report from the Society of Actuaries  that finds millennials really do have it tougher, financially, than GenXers, boomers and the so-called silent generation. Take a look at the numbers:

  1. They aren’t ensconced in their own homes, as earlier generations were — only 47% own their own homes.
  2. They’re renting (37%), or living with friends or family and not contributing to the cost of housing (12%).
  3. They’re buried in student debt, and they worry not just about retirement but also about health expenses.

Millennial women in particular feel overwhelmed

Millennial women in particular say they feel overwhelmed, with half of them saying so, compared with 29% of millennial men.

Only 21% of millennials say they have no debt.

And they’re the ones who are much less likely to report feeling overwhelmed; just one out of four say that. However, the 45% of those with debt are feeling underwater.

Only about half of millennials are married, with 15% unmarried and living with a partner; 36% are single, and 60% have no children. Among those who have children, about half have only one.

While their debt level overall is comparable to earlier generations, the report says, there are significant differences when it comes to student loans and mortgages.

Focused on paying down debt

But they are focused on paying down debt, with 52% of millennials focused on paying off credit card debts and another 30% doing the same for student loans.

And about that education: 31% have completed some college or technical school, 28% have a bachelor’s degree, 26% are high school graduates or less and 14% have graduate or professional degrees.

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Fifty-six percent of millennials say they have it harder than their parents’ generation when it comes to financial security.

And quite a few among the older generations agree, counting themselves as lucky to have it easier than both their parents and grandparents — 44% of boomers and the silent generation think that younger generations have it harder than they did when it comes to financial security.

Related: Top 7 causes of financial stress for your insurance clients

Marlene Y. Satter has covered the financial industry since 1997, first for Investment Advisor magazine, then at ThinkAdvisor.com and BenefitsPro.com. Email her at msatter@alm.com.

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