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Every generation thinks it has it worse than its predecessors. But the truth is, each demographic is called upon to face the challenges of its time, whether financial, societal, environmental, or otherwise.

• The so-called Silent Generation were the children of the Great Depression and saw their contemporaries die in World War II.
• The early baby boomers benefited from the longest period of economic prosperity in recent history, yet saw an inequitable draft that sent the poorest to the Vietnam War.
• The late baby boomers came into the job market in economic downturns in the 1980s and 90s, when jobs had already been filled by early boomers.
• The Gen Xers, like the Silent Generation, are "sandwiched" between two larger generations, and quite likely are the first generation to be worse off financially in terms of retirement preparation than their parents.
• Millennials faced challenges in childhood and as they came of age during 9/11, school shootings, and the financial crisis.
• Gen Z were the first generation to experience childhood and adolescence immersed in the internet, smartphones, and social media — situations with both positive and negative ramifications.

Now as we continue to deal with the daily physical, emotional, and psychological challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, more people of every generation are finding it harder to get by financially. And for some, saving for retirement, like saving for a house or saving to start a family, seems pretty much beyond reach.

Hugh Tallents

Hugh Tallents, personal finance expert and senior partner at management consultancy cg42, has observed the issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic and its effects on Americans'  finances. In his time, he has helped companies evolve and transform to meet the challenges of the changing business landscape. His client experience spans a broad range of industries and includes AT&T, Barclays, Nissan, British Airways, SunGard, Nintendo, Yellow Pages, State Farm, Target, CBS and many more.

Recently he discussed the challenges facing people during the coronavirus pandemic, the ripple effect of workers borrowing from retirement savings, and the issues each age demographic faces regarding the status of their savings and future retirement.