As if planning for a decent 21st-century retirement these days wasn’t challenging enough for most Americans, consider the plight of the not-yet-empty nesters: According to a recent Harris Interactive poll, 40 percent of U.S. adults between 18 and 39 - thirty-nine — who aren’t students are currently living at home with their parents. It isn’t just cheap or free rent they’re tapping their folks for, either. The typical support package for ‘generation boomerang‘ includes transportation costs, insurance, food and living expenses, and medical bills.
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All of which has an immediate spillover effect on parents’ finances:.
The Boomerang Effect
- 26 percent have taken on additional debt
- 13 percent have delayed buying a home or taking a vacation
- 7 percent are delaying retirement
Most parents, of course, don’t hesitate to take on the additional burden: Another recent survey by TD Ameritrade found that 57 percent of baby boomers said they would be willing to support their adult children even if meant putting retirement plans at risk — this at a time when 55 percent of boomers are already planning to retire later than expected.
Small wonder, then, why many couples facing this potential boomerang hit to their retirement plans need some specialized financial guidance – especially if they’re still supporting 30-somethings. Following are some smart guidelines to follow from several financial planners:
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Set boundaries
Ensure that you can meet your own expenses before offering to take on more. Explain to your kids how much you feel comfortable giving them and when the assistance will be cut off. Consider the financial sacrifices you’re willing to make: Are you willing to take on more work? Take fewer vacations?
Close the bank of mom and dad
Adults who move back home can be expected to pay rent. Having them around may allow for some good parent-child time together, but it comes with a cost: all of your bills will creep upward. It’s reasonable to ask your kids to share in the expenses.
Be a responsible lender
If you’re willing to lend children money, make it official. Write up a simple contract with interest terms and a payback schedule. This reminds “children” about the real-world implications of loans, whether those are student loans, mortgages, or credit cards.
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Dust off your financial plan
If you have been supporting your adult children, map out or update your financial plan. Discuss it with your advisor. Figure out a budget that won’t jeopardize long-term goals. This may also be a smart time to update living trusts, estate plans, and wills, which most parents created when the kids were minors.
Make it a learning experience
Take the opportunity to assume the authoritative role of financial advisor to your kids. Find out how much money they think they will need – for what and for how long. Help devise their own financial plan — which will ultimately protect yours.
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Ruthie Ackerman - Daily Capital is a writer specializing in business, philanthropy, social innovation, and the financial advisory space. She has penned hundreds of stories throughout her career on topics ranging from women and investing to profiles of top CEOs. She has written for top financial publications including Forbes and the Wall Street Journal, among others. She is now a staff writer for Daily Capital.
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That figure cannot be right. Forty percent? Nearly half of all people in that age group – you know, people who used to be called adults – are living at home with their parents? If I were such parent, I’d make my child pay rent, etc. and not let him or her mooch for too long. Not good for my retirement, and not good for them since they will never grow up.