Is It Correct to See My Kid as My Retirement Corpus?

 

Many parents grow up with a strong belief — "My child will take care of me in old age." It’s an emotional thought. And it often comes from love, tradition, and sometimes, a lack of financial planning.

But is it correct to see your child as your retirement plan?

Let’s take a closer look.

A Common Belief

Rajesh is 55. He has two sons working in the U.S. Rajesh has not saved much for retirement. He believes his sons will support him. He says, “They’ll send money. I took care of them for 25 years, now it’s their turn.”

Then there’s Leela, 60. She has a daughter working in Delhi. Leela never built a retirement fund. She lives with her daughter. Every time she needs money, she feels awkward to ask. Her daughter helps, but it causes stress at home.

Where Things Can Go Wrong

Expecting your child to fund your retirement can cause issues — both emotional and financial.

1. Children may have their own commitments.
They might have home loans, education expenses for their own kids, or job uncertainties. Supporting you may not be easy for them, even if they want to.

2. It can affect relationships.
Money and expectations can strain the parent-child bond. What begins with love can slowly turn into guilt, resentment, or stress.

3. Times have changed.
In the past, joint families were common. Today, nuclear families are the norm. Children might live far away. Physical and emotional distance can make daily support difficult.

What Should We Do Instead?

The best gift you can give your child is your own financial independence.

Start saving for your retirement. Even small amounts saved regularly can grow over time. Use options like PPF, NPS, mutual funds, or pension plans.

Plan early. The earlier you start, the less burden you feel later.

Talk to your child. Let them know that you are planning for yourself. This gives them peace of mind too.

Support Without Dependence

This doesn’t mean your child shouldn’t help if needed. Of course, they will be there in tough times. But that help should be out of love, not obligation.

You raised them with love. Let them raise their families with the same freedom.

Final Thoughts

Your child is not your retirement corpus. They are your legacy, not your bank account.

Plan well. Stay independent. And enjoy a relationship with your child that is based on love, not financial need.

Because at the end of the day, the best retirement plan is the one that gives you peace — and keeps your relationships happy.

The content made available in this article is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the content, it should not be considered as a substitute for professional consultation. 

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