Older workers facing the pressure of intergenerational needs

5th February 2018

It’s estimated that around 1.9m workers aged over 50 find themselves juggling the competing needs of the younger and older generations, sometimes overlooking their own financial planning requirements. As a result, many feel under pressure to go on working for longer; others sacrifice saving for their retirement to help other family members.

The problem is likely to intensify as the younger generation increasingly look to the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ to help with major expenditure such as house purchase. Elderly parents are living longer and need more care. This means that many over-50s are squeezed in the middle and find themselves taking the financial strain. Government statistics show a record number of over-50s remain in work, some from choice, others out of necessity.

SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN

According to a recent report1 almost two in five workers aged over 50 with dependants say they will retire later than they had originally anticipated because their children still need their financial support. Almost a third say their adult children’s financial needs are the only reason they’re still working.

LOOKING AFTER PARENTS

Many older workers also find themselves helping their parents financially and with their care. More than two in five respondents mentioned concerns about being able to balance their work commitments with their responsibilities as carers.

PENSION PROVISION SET ASIDE

Worryingly, almost a quarter of over- 50s with financial dependants admitted that they had sacrificed saving for a comfortable retirement to provide financial support for adult children, while 12% of respondents said they had stopped saving completely to support the children and parents who depend on them financially.

GETTING THE RIGHT ADVICE

Whatever age they are, everyone should make provision for their later years. Even small sums saved regularly will go some way towards providing a pension income. Getting good advice will help you work out how much you will have available to live on in retirement, and how you can improve your pension outlook.

The information within the article is purely for information purposes only and does not constitute individual advice

 

1Aviva, Real Retirement Report, 2017