Sandwich Generation

The demographics of the Sandwich Generation – those who care for both their children and aging parents – as well the financial responsibilities they face as a result of COVID-19– are changing.

The Sandwich Generation has become increasingly younger, more female and more diverse as a result of the pandemic. Also, these new members may face caregiving and financial challenges that are different than those of their Baby Boomer and Gen X predecessors, according to a report by New York Life.

Caregiving and COVID-19: How the Pandemic is Expanding the Sandwich Generation examines how the pandemic has changed who is part of the Sandwich Generation, their expectations for the future and the financial, physical and emotional impact caregiving is having on these households.

“As the Sandwich Generation becomes younger and the economic outlook remains uncertain, preparing for the unexpected becomes critical to achieving long-term financial security,” said Jeff Beligotti, vice president, at New York Life.

This is especially true for Millennials, who are already making up a greater percentage of the Sandwich Generation while still managing the impact of the Great Recession on their early professional years. “This group has the greatest opportunity to improve their financial, physical, and emotional outlook for the long-term by developing a sound financial strategy now,” he said.

Women are disproportionately affected when it comes to caring for both an aging parent and children. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of caregivers are women and over one-third (39%) are Millennials. Latinx caregivers (34%) are most likely to spend higher-than-average time providing care for loved ones, followed by Black caregivers (29%), and white Millennial family caregivers (20%).

The report said that on average, the cost of caring for an aging relative is about $1,000 per month, with 54% of those in the Sandwich Generation reporting spending more than usual per month to care for others as a result of the pandemic. Almost 7 out of 10 (69%) of Sandwich Generation members are paying for this care out of their own daily budgets, 40% are contributing less to their savings and 30% are contributing less to their retirement. While nearly half of the Sandwich Generation (46%) have $50,000 or more in investments, one-quarter (23%) have no financial investments at all.

Nearly half (48%) of all members of the Sandwich Generation expect to be in a caregiving position in some capacity for six or more years, yet one-in-four (22%) report they would need to adjust their financial strategies within the next 12 months.

The data is from a poll conducted July 22 – August 5, 2020 among 1,000 Sandwich Generation adults (i.e., those caring for both children and an aging relative). The interviews were conducted online, and results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points. Margin of error increases as sample size decreases.