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Although it's estimated that one in five seniors are a victim of financial abuse, losing approximately $37 billion a year, few seniors and their families are doing enough to prevent it.
According to the 2018 Wells Fargo Elder Needs Survey of seniors and their adult children — each with at least $25,000 in investable assets — only one-third of older Americans have talked to their children about how they plan to manage their finances. Just 12% think they need help with their finances in their later years, but 43% of their children expect they will.
Four out of five adult children of seniors want their parents to plan for their old age, but 35% of older Americans say too much planning distracts from enjoying life and 57% see no urgency to talk about their elder needs. In addition to these disconnects, the survey found areas of agreement, but not for the benefit of the seniors.
More than one-third of seniors who are parents say it's difficult to talk with their children about the challenges to come in their later years, including one-quarter who reported difficulties talking about money and finances with their children. Similarly, about one-third of adult children are uncomfortable discussing money matters with their parents. Close to 800 older Americans over 60 and nearly 800 adult children age 45 to 69 were surveyed, plus an additional 272 seniors and 270 adult children with at least $1 million in assets.
"When you don't have the conversation, seniors are more vulnerable," said Desari Mueller, communications consultant for Wells Fargo Advisors, at a presentation about the report.
Both age groups also believe that a stranger is most likely to perpetuate a scam against seniors — 68% of seniors and 55% of adult children — and both are wrong. Two-thirds of elder financial crimes are committed by family members, friends or trusted contacts, according to a Jewish Council for the Aging study that the survey cites.
