IN Bethel Park Spring 2020 | Page 13

INDUSTRY INSIGHT YOUR FINANCES SPONSORED CONTENT HELPING ADULT KIDS WITHOUT HARMING YOUR OWN FINANCIAL FUTURE W ould you be willing to delay your retirement to help your child pay for their first car, college education or wedding? Increasingly a lot of Americans say the answer is yes. According to a recent study publish by Ameriprise Financial, 1 in 3 parents say they have delayed or are willing to delay their retirement to help pay for their children’s college education 1 . And the financial support often continues in adulthood – parents also help their adult children pay for major milestones such as their first home and weddings, sometimes at their own detriment. As a financial advisor, I help families grapple with this kind of financial quandary. Here’s the advice I offer parents who want to give their adult children a financial head start without harming their own financial future: Prioritize saving for your own retirement. It takes many years to accumulate the savings you need to retire comfortably. Your children are likely just starting their careers, while your time remaining in the workforce may be limited to 5, 10 or 15 years. Putting yourself first isn’t a selfish move. It’s about being wise with your money. If you make it a priority to have enough saved when you retire, your kids won’t have to worry about providing you with financial support later in life. Be strategic with your financial gifts. Like other monetary goals, it’s important to add gifts of cash to your overall financial plan. When you treat cash gifts separately, you shortchange other priorities such as retirement. What will it cost you to divert savings from your retirement plan? With a complete list of financial priorities, you can see how much you need to save to reach them all. Consider alternate approaches to helping your kids. There may be ways to help your kids other than by dipping into savings. Encourage them to take financial responsibility when they can do so. Your college-bound son or daughter may be able to take out student loans at a low interest rate, which will reduce or eliminate the amount you need to contribute for tuition. Instead of writing a check to help your child buy a car or house, you might co-sign on a loan to help them lock in a lower-interest rate or more favorable repayment terms. Have conversations about money. Your willingness to talk about your finances is a valuable example for your adult children. So too is your attention to your retirement savings. I encourage parents to invite their adult children to attend a financial planning session with a financial advisor. It’s a time to address money concerns and explore how actions today can affect your future finances. 1 The Modern Money study was created by Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and conducted online by Artemis Strategy Group December 11-25, 2018 among 3,008 U.S. adults between the ages of 30-69 with at least $100,000 in investable assets. For further information and details about the study, including verification of data that may not be published as part of this report, please contact Ameriprise Financial or go to Ameriprise.com/ modernmoney. This Industry Insight was written by Jonathan D. Martin. Jonathan D. Martin is a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Bethel Park, PA. He specializes in financial planning and asset management strategies. Contact Jonathan’s office at 412.831.6240 extension 202, located at 88 Fort Couch Road, Suite 210, Pittsburgh, PA 15241, or visit his website at www.ameripriseadvisors.com/jonathan.d.martin. Jonathan is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents only in the states of PA, OH, WV, AZ, CA, FL, IL, IN, NC, NJ, OR, SC and VA. Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2019 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Meet your future with confidence. Jonathan D. Martin Financial Advisor 412.831.6240 ext. 202 88 Fort Couch Rd, Ste 210 Pittsburgh, PA 15241 [email protected] ameripriseadvisors.com/jonathan.d.martin Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2019 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. BETHEL PARK ❘ SPRING 2020 11