More than half of Generation X workers say their primary jobs do not provide a reliable path to long-term financial security, while an equal share have taken on additional work to supplement their income, according to a new Goldman Sachs Asset Management survey.

The 2026 Retirement Survey and Insights Report found that just 57% of Gen X respondents consider their primary employment financially stable, the lowest percentage among the four generations surveyed. The figure compares with 71% of Millennials, 68% of Generation Z and 67% of Baby Boomers.

The survey also found that 57% of Gen X respondents have taken on work outside their primary jobs. Among those working additional jobs, 72% said they did so because they needed the extra income rather than simply wanting more spending money.

The results highlight the financial challenges facing Gen X, many of whom are in the later stages of their careers and approaching retirement age. Despite years in the workforce, a significant portion of the generation continues to rely on additional employment to cover expenses and maintain financial stability.

Goldman Sachs found that the problem extends beyond job security. Another 33% of Gen X respondents said their primary jobs cover their current expenses but leave them struggling to get ahead, while 11% said they have difficulty remaining financially secure despite working consistently.

Retirement savings are also becoming a growing concern. Only 49% of Gen X retirement savers said they were on track or ahead of schedule, down from 58% in the previous year's survey. That was the lowest result among the generations examined, with 66% of Gen Z, 61% of Millennials and 60% of Baby Boomers reporting that their retirement savings were on track or better.

Everyday living expenses were the leading obstacle to retirement savings for Gen X, with 37% identifying routine costs as their biggest financial challenge. Housing expenses were a more prominent concern among younger generations, while healthcare costs remained a concern across all age groups.

The broader survey found that 61% of workers across generations had taken on additional work outside their primary jobs. Of those workers, 71% said financial necessity was the reason. Gen Z reported the highest rate of additional employment at 80%, followed by Millennials at 77%, Gen X at 57%, and Baby Boomers at 37%.

Financial pressures are also forcing Americans to postpone major milestones. Nearly 70% of all respondents said they had delayed at least one significant financial goal, including building emergency savings, contributing to retirement accounts, paying down debt, or purchasing a home. Among Gen X respondents, 65% reported delaying a major financial goal.

Goldman Sachs also found that financial worries are affecting workplace performance. Across generations, 54% of workers said financial concerns made it difficult to concentrate at work, while 32% reported missing work during the previous 12 months because of a financial challenge. Another 34% said they were likely to seek a new job primarily to improve their financial situation.

The survey included 5,106 respondents and was conducted in July. Its findings suggest that financial insecurity is not limited to younger workers entering the workforce. Gen X, despite being well into its working years, is facing mounting pressure to earn additional income while trying to prepare for retirement.

Greg Wilson, head of retirement and co-head of Americas third-party wealth at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, said workers can appear financially stable while privately working more hours, postponing important goals and supplementing their income to stay afloat.