Millennials may be approaching 40, but their parents are still footing the bill to help them stay financially afloat.
Roughly half of parents provide financial support to at least one adult child over the age of 18, according to a recent report from Savings. On average, Gen Z adults receive the most—about $1,813 per month—while millennials get around $863. This level of support has reached a three-year high, driven by the financial pressure inflation has placed on workers across all age groups.
The report explains that Gen Z are receiving more support because they’re still in the early stages of their careers and haven’t yet established stable income streams. Millennials, aged 29 to 44, are further along and generally more financially capable.
Even though around 92.5% of Gen Z adults are working full-time, many still can’t keep up with the rising cost of living. Parents are stepping in to help, despite facing their own financial challenges—and that support may not last much longer.
How Parents Are Supporting Their Gen Z Adult Children
With basic necessities becoming harder to afford, groceries have become a luxury for many young people. Parents are stepping up, often paying for essentials like oat milk and frozen meals.
On average, parents contribute $220 a month toward their adult child’s grocery bills, the report found. About 87% help with food costs; 73% cover phone bills; 69% contribute to health insurance; and 66% help pay rent or mortgage. Additionally, 57% of parents also help with tuition expenses.
While many parents are stepping in to shield their adult children from financial hardship, they may be compromising their own financial well-being in the process.
On average, working parents spend 2.3 times more on their adult children than they put toward their own retirement—$1,589 per month on their kids, compared to $673 on retirement savings.
Parental Sacrifices and Shifting Support
According to the report, 47% of parents say they’ve sacrificed their financial security for their adult children. Four in ten report feeling pressure to provide support even when it impacts their own financial comfort. Yet nearly 90% say they would still be willing to make additional sacrifices for their working-age children.
But there’s a limit to how much parents can give. Many adult Gen Zers and millennials who currently rely on support from their parents may soon need to adjust.
What Happens When the Bank of Mom and Dad Closes?
Though younger generations are benefiting from parental financial help now, that support may be nearing its end. About 37% of parents say they plan to stop financially supporting their adult children within the next two years, and another 28% expect to do so in three to four years.
