Remember a time when kids couldn’t wait to leave home so they could have their own “pad”? Those days are definitely over with one and half million adult children now preferring to continue living with Mum and Dad well into their late twenties (and sometimes older!).

Latest census statistics available reveal that over 43% of young adults aged 20-24 and 17% of those aged 25-29 continue to reside with their parents. This arises from more young people undertaking higher education, a tendency to defer marriage and the high cost of housing in Australia. It is estimated that it costs an average family $812,000 to raise two children from birth to age 24.

What’s the effect on parents?

When they have 20+ year old‘ children’ at home the parents are likely to be in their 50s or early 60s and getting ready to enjoy time of their own.

In some instances, where the young ones are fully employed they may contribute to the household costs. If they’re at university parents may well be supporting them or, even if employed,some parents may be reluctant to ask their “children” to pay.

The net effect is likely to be that at the very time when parents should be maximising their retirement funds, they’re still supporting or partially supporting their children. If left on their own, Mum and Dad may well have sold the family home and moved to a smaller property, but now find this impractical under the circumstances.

Focus on your future

If you’re placed in this position, careful planning is essential to ensure you still have the means fora comfortable retirement. You need to seriously consider the following: