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“Because My Father Told Me To”: Exploratory Insights into Parental Influence on the Retirement Savings Behavior of Adult Children

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  • Lynne Robertson-Rose

    (University of Edinburgh)

Abstract

The paper explores the influence of parents on their adult children’s retirement saving strategies. Using examples from 25 qualitative interviews the exploratory study shows how financial socialization can continue well beyond adolescence. It offers examples of parents encouraging their adult children to save for retirement and children’s reliance upon their parents for advice about pension contribution levels and asset allocation. Parents also provide salient examples—both negative and positive—from which adult children discover for themselves the consequences of earlier savings decisions. The paper’s two key points are that parents’ financial preparedness for retirement can impact the younger generation’s retirement choices and that family financial socialization continues into adulthood.

Suggested Citation

  • Lynne Robertson-Rose, 2020. "“Because My Father Told Me To”: Exploratory Insights into Parental Influence on the Retirement Savings Behavior of Adult Children," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 41(2), pages 364-376, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jfamec:v:41:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1007_s10834-019-09643-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10834-019-09643-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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