Many Americans quietly expect a financial boost in retirement—whether from a parent’s estate, a family home sale, or generous annual gifts. But relying on money you don’t yet have is one of the riskiest retirement planning mistakes. Gifts and inheritances can be unpredictable, delayed, or reduced by taxes, long-term care costs, or family disputes. Here’s why you shouldn’t base your golden years on someone else’s balance sheet—and what to do instead.
1. Inheritance Isn’t Guaranteed—Even if Promised
Nearly half of retirees expecting an inheritance never receive one. Many older adults spend savings on healthcare, assisted living, or debt before passing assets on. Nursing homes, estate taxes, and legal fees can shrink estates faster than families expect. A parent’s verbal promise or will draft doesn’t ensure payment either—wills can change, or assets can vanish through expenses or inflation. Counting inheritance too early can create a dangerous illusion of financial security.
2. Gift Taxes and Limits Can Reduce What You Receive
Generosity has tax consequences. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows annual gifts up to $18,000 per recipient (as of 2025) without triggering gift tax reporting, but anything above that must be declared. While most families don’t pay the tax outright, large transfers may count against the lifetime exemption. If your financial plan assumes receiving large cash gifts, remember those may be delayed, divided, or reduced. Always factor in how taxes could change the true value of what’s given.
3. Emotional Expectations Can Backfire Financially
Relying on a future inheritance can lead to emotional and practical problems. Financial expectations often strain family relationships, especially between siblings. Disputes over estates or perceived “favorites” can drag into probate court for years. Planning independently frees you from emotional dependence and family friction. Consider any inheritance a bonus—not a pillar of your retirement plan.
4. Health Care and Long-Term Care Costs Can Erase Inheritance
A single medical crisis can deplete what was once a comfortable estate. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) reports that long-term care costs now average more than $100,000 per year in many states. Unless your parents carry long-term care insurance, those expenses may wipe out intended gifts. Medicaid spend-down rules can also force asset liquidation before government coverage kicks in. Never assume money will remain untouched for inheritance—it’s often the first to go when health declines.
5. The Smart Move: Build Your Own Plan First
Retirees should treat any gift or inheritance as unexpected income, not a guaranteed part of savings. Base your plan on assets you control—like your 401(k), IRA, or Social Security—and treat family money as a cushion. Financial independence gives you more flexibility and fewer surprises. If an inheritance does arrive, you’ll be positioned to invest it strategically instead of using it to patch shortfalls.
6. Protect Yourself from False Security
A well-rounded retirement plan doesn’t depend on anyone else’s generosity. By saving, diversifying, and budgeting around what you own—not what you might receive—you create a safety net no market or family event can shake. If an inheritance does come, it becomes opportunity, not rescue.
Do you expect to receive an inheritance or plan to leave one? Share how it fits—or doesn’t fit—into your retirement strategy in the comments below.
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Teri Monroe started her career in communications working for local government and nonprofits. Today, she is a freelance finance and lifestyle writer and small business owner. In her spare time, she loves golfing with her husband, taking her dog Milo on long walks, and playing pickleball with friends.
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