A new national study reveals a sobering reality: many Americans are jeopardizing their retirement and even their health to continue supporting family members financially. The 2025 Protected Retirement Income & Planning (PRIP) Study, released this week, shows that only 15% of people are willing to cut back on financial support, even if it means skipping medical care, delaying repairs, or lowering their standard of living.
The findings highlight how deep the sense of family obligation runs for many Americans. Nearly half the respondents said they provide financial help to relatives. About 17% are supporting adult children aged 26 and older, 10% are helping grandchildren, 9% are assisting other family members, and 7% are giving financial support to parents or in-laws. More than half of these individuals admit that their generosity is directly cutting into the money they are able to save for retirement.
The report suggests that Americans are remarkably willing to sacrifice their own wellbeing before cutting off family support. 58% of respondents said they’d be willing to lower their standard of living, while 54% say they would return to work either full- or part-time. Many are also willing to give up personal interests and hobbies (39%), delay necessary home or auto repairs (25%), or even skip medical care and treatments (21%). By contrast, reducing or stopping financial support for loved ones is by far the least popular option, chosen by just 15%.
Jean Chatzky, CEO of HerMoney, described the findings as “a whole new level of sacrifice that’s rarely discussed with financial professionals.”
The study also underscores generational divides. Baby boomers appear better positioned, with 62% confident their money will last throughout retirement. Gen-Xers, on the other hand, posted just 41% on the same metric. As the first generation to rely primarily on 401(k)s rather than pensions, Gen-Xers are much less protected, with only 14% having access to a traditional pension. This leaves them far more exposed and more anxious about their financial futures.
Health care costs are compounding the pressure. Rising medical expenses now rival inflation as the top retirement fear, cited by two-thirds of respondents. Yet these concerns are rarely discussed with advisors. Fewer than half have talked through the possibility of needing long-term care or experiencing cognitive decline in retirement.
The PRIP Study paints a striking picture: Americans are prioritizing family support at the expense of their own futures, often without a clear safety net. This behavior pattern is admirable, but it also raises tough questions: What happens if helping today leaves retirees vulnerable tomorrow?
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.