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davidlerner.com > Age Based Info  > David Lerner Associates: Taking Care of Your Aging Parents (Part 3)

David Lerner Associates: Taking Care of Your Aging Parents (Part 3)

Financial Considerations

The last article in our 3-part series, focuses on the financial aspects of caring for aging parents.

Financial and tax considerations for you

Caring for your aging parents is not only an emotional burden for you but may be a financial one as well, depending upon how well off your parents are and how much caring for them costs. Because many adults today are becoming first-time parents in their thirties, and others are remarrying and rearing second families, increasing numbers of adults are finding themselves in the "sandwich generation." They face having to pay expenses of growing children (including college expenses), plan for their own retirement, and support their aging parents financially. Thus, it's important to plan not only your parents’ finances, but your own as well.

Financial planning for your parents

Ensuring that your parents won't outlast their money is a critical step in guaranteeing that your personal finances will remain sound. Particularly, you'll need to ensure that your parent is receiving all the benefits to which he or she is made eligible and also his or her money is invested carefully. You'll also need to create a financial profile for your parents, a statement that includes income, expenses, and net worth. If, after considering your parent's financial condition, it's clear that they won't have sufficient resources to spend for their own care, you'll need to find ways to supplement their income. You may need to look at Supplemental Security Income (SSI), for example, or ask other relatives for help. You'll also need to determine how much financial support you can give your parents (see below).

Financial planning for you

Besides caring for your parents, you have a lot of other financial responsibilities. Before you can determine the best way to help your parents financially, you'll have to look at your own financial picture. Not only will you need to consider your current expenses, but you'll have to look down the road a few years, considering how much you'll need to save for your own retirement and, perhaps, for your child's education.

Tip: Due to the complexities inherent in providing adequately for several generations in the same family, consider seeking the advice of a financial professional.

Tax benefits for children supporting aging parents

Federal income tax law provides several tax benefits to you if you are supporting your parents financially. If you have a dependent care account at work, you can put pretax dollars into the account that you can use to pay for some costs associated with caring for your dependent parents. You may be able to claim an exemption for your parents as dependents, and you may be entitled to claim a dependent care credit. In addition, you may be able to file your taxes as head of household and deduct medical expenses you paid for your parents. For more information consult your tax advisor.

If you are financially supporting your parent, is he or she entitled to receive Social Security benefits based on your earnings?

If you are providing at least one-half of your parent's support at the time of your death, and he or she is age 62 or over and is not entitled to a retirement benefit that is equal to or larger than the amount he or she would receive based on your earnings record, then he or she may be entitled to receive a parent's Social Security benefit equal to 82.5 percent of your primary insurance amount (PIA).

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Material contained in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be used in connection with the evaluation of any investments offered by David Lerner Associates, Inc. This material does not constitute an offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities and should not be considered in connection with the purchase or sale of securities.

David Lerner Associates does not provide tax or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual's personal circumstances.

To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances.

These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable– we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

Some of this material has been provided by Broadridge Investor Communications Solutions, Inc.

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