As an adult, a point may arrive when you realize that your aging parents or other older relatives could use your help managing their finances.
It can be a tricky transition, experts say, depending on family dynamics and the specifics of the situation.
"There are two things potentially in conflict — adult children are worried about safety and security, and parents are worried about autonomy and independence," said certified financial planner Lisa Kirchenbauer, a founding partner and senior advisor for Omega Wealth Management in Arlington, Virginia.
Yet with an aging U.S. population living longer, adult children may want to lay the groundwork to help long before they need to step in, experts say.
The U.S.'s age 65-plus population topped 61.2 million in 2024, up 13% from 54.2 million in 2020, according to the Census Bureau. Once a person reaches age 65, life expectancy is another 20.8 years for women, up from 19 years in 2000, and 18.4 additional years for men, up from 16 more years in 2000, according to 2024 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
