Returns on 401(k) Assets by Cohort

The brief’s key findings are:

• Early Baby Boomers were hit hard by the financial crisis.

• But, over their careers, markets have treated them well:
• they have enjoyed 9-percent returns on equities; and
• they have fared much better than either Late Boomers or Gen Xers.

• Gen Xers have faced the worst investment climate, but Late Boomers are more vulnerable because they have less time to recover.