A new LendingTree survey found that 43% of Americans who expect an inheritance say their retirement plan depends on receiving it. That’s a lot of people betting their later years on money that hasn’t arrived yet. And the stakes are huge. Homeowners 65 and older are projected to transfer $17.2 trillion between 2026 and 2045, and about a third of Americans under 65 expect to receive an inheritance or financial gift at some point.
The problem is that an inheritance is never guaranteed. Consumer finance analyst Matt Schulz points out that health care and assisted living costs can drain an estate surprisingly fast. One extended illness or a few years of care can turn a comfortable nest egg into almost nothing. On the Suncoast, where so many families have deep roots, real estate, and retirement savings tied up in the region, that risk is personal.
Schulz’s advice is simple: treat an inheritance as a luxury, not a strategy. Keep building your own retirement savings, and start the conversation with your family now, before a health crisis forces it. If you’re a parent, tell your kids what you plan. If you’re an adult child, ask the questions. The talk is awkward for ten minutes. The alternative is worse.
Are you counting on an inheritance for retirement, or building your plan on your own savings? Let us know in the comments.
