Call Our Office
(559) 384-2900 | Fresno
(619) 480-1413 | San Diego
Your Money
Your Life
Your Way
Article

Complex Waters of Aging Parents' Finances

Complex Waters of Aging Parents’ Finances

Managing our own finances can be a challenge. But as your parents move into retirement and beyond, their financial landscape can become complicated. Here are some tips on how you can help guide them through this stage of life with confidence and peace of mind, ensuring their comfort and security in their golden years.

June 6, 2024
Complex Waters of Aging Parents’ Finances
Important Disclosure: Content on our website and in our newsletters is for informational purposes only. The information provided may (or may not) directly apply to your situation. We recommend that readers work directly with a professional advisor when making decisions in the context of their specific situation.

As professionals, managing our own finances can be a challenge. However, one area that we often overlook, yet is vitally important, is understanding and navigating our aging parents' finances. As they move into retirement and beyond, their financial landscape can become complicated, making it necessary for us to step in. Here are some crucial areas to focus on:

Understand Their Income

Understanding your parents' income sources is the first step in comprehending their financial status. This includes pensions, social security, retirement savings, rental income, and other assets.

Knowing where the money is coming from can help anticipate potential issues, such as a fluctuating income or the need for additional support.

Discuss Their Estate Plan

Having a conversation about your parents' estate plans can be difficult, but it's essential. This includes understanding their will, any trust arrangements, and their wishes regarding the division of assets. It's also important to know who they've named as executors or trustees. Having these conversations early can prevent misunderstandings and legal complications down the line.

Plan for Healthcare Costs

Healthcare costs can skyrocket in old age, and it's essential to understand how these expenses will be covered.

  • Are they enrolled in Medicare?
  • Do they have a supplemental health insurance plan?
  • Do they have long-term care insurance?

If not, it may be worth discussing these options and understanding what healthcare costs could look like in the future.

Be Aware of Potential Financial Abuse

Elderly individuals are unfortunately often targets for financial scams and abuse. It's important to regularly check in on your parents' financial transactions and be vigilant for any signs of suspicious activity. This can include unexplained bank withdrawals, sudden changes in their financial condition, or new, unknown 'friends' who show an unusual interest in their finances.

Your Financial Advisor

A trusted financial advisor can be an invaluable resource for managing your parents' finances. They can help with everything from planning for retirement income to advising on estate planning and managing investment portfolios.

If your parents don't already have a financial advisor, consider helping them find one. Remember, it's critical that this advisor is a fiduciary, meaning they're legally obligated to act in your parents' best interests.

The Circle of Life

Navigating your parents' finances can be a complex task, but it's a critical part of ensuring their comfort and security in their golden years.

By taking the time to understand their financial situation, planning for future costs, and seeking professional advice, you can help guide them through this stage of life with confidence and peace of mind.

Other content you may like

  • Plan Your Finances as You Would Your Workout

    Plan Your Finances as You Would Your Workout

    January 24, 2023
    You exercise to benefit from your sweat equity in the future, right? The strategy of a good workout is to intentionally place stress on our muscles so that when a health problem arises, our bodies are in better condition to deal with the situation. You also need an investment strategy to accommodate unforeseen future events, such as market downturns.
    Read this Article
  • March Student of the Market

    Staying Calm Amid Historic Geopolitical Events

    March 29, 2022
    Here’s a quick look at how the history of major geopolitical events have affected market volatility along with stats on the market volatility of today and the importance of limiting downsize. This year we’ve seen the 2nd worst start of a year ever for bonds, reaching the top 10 of worst starts for stock returns in January and February. What can the history of other “worst starts” tell us?
    Read this Article
  • How to Combat Emotional Investing

    August 2, 2024
    There are strategies that can be taken to navigate market volatility with confidence instead of being driven to invest by the Fear Curve. Here are five foundational rules to be aware of that can help you make more rational investing decisions and avoid the emotional roller coaster of the fear curve.
    Read this Article
  • Podcast Highlight - Fed Forecasts & Policy

    November 21, 2023
    Discussion centers around how inflation is tightly correlated with economic growth and the outlook, along with how outlook models have been working.
    Read this Article
  • The link you have selected is located on another server. The linked site contains information that has been created, published, maintained, or otherwise posted by institutions or organizations independent of this organization. We do not endorse, approve, certify, or control any linked websites, their sponsors, or any of their policies, activities, products, or services. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information contained therein. Visitors to any linked websites should not use or rely on the information contained therein until they have consulted with an independent financial professional. Please click “Continue to Link” to leave this website and proceed to the selected site.
    phone-handset