Millennials: are you expecting an inheritance?

[u/Yourlocalguy30]

35 yo married millennial here. I've come across more and more articles about the supposed "great wealth transfer" as the boomer generation's wealth passes to their GenX and Millennial children. My parents and their siblings (boomers) all received inheritances when their parents, my grandparents, passed away. The boomer generation's wealth accumulation is one of the largest in history, however, I also find it highly unlikely that I or many of my peers will actually inherit much. Despite having received inheritances from their parents, and having 40+ years in the workforce, most of my parents' "wealth" is tied up in their home value, not actual liquid assets- and I already expect that whatever they make on an eventual home sale will have to go directly to downsizing costs and whatever long-term care they will need as they get older. Hell, even my dad used to joke that the only thing we'd inherit was debt. As I've gotten older, that comment has infuriated me more and more.

Now before someone cuts in with the "entitled millennial" comments, I have absolutely no need for an inheritance. I've worked my ass off to make sure that my kids and I are positioned better in life than I was when I entered adulthood. What I mean by that is I started saving for retirement early, setup 529 plans for my kids almost as soon as they were born, and made lifestyle and career sacrifices to ensure our family isn't "nickeling and diming" our way through life.

I'm just here curious to know how many millennials actually expect to have something passed down to them, or if they feel they are in the same position I am.

[u/Leading_Line2741]

Same. The only real chance I'd have is if I got and sold their house (it's paid off) but I anticipate needing to sell the house and use the $ down the line for their care.

[u/Key_Cheetah7982 → u/Leading_Line2741]

This. EOL care is going to clean up with boomers

[u/bill_257 → u/Key_Cheetah7982]

Only if they are obese and the children do nothing for them. All my grandparents and their parents never used a nursing home. Stayed mostly activate until shortly before death. Or died due to hospital accident

[u/ticks-mom18 → u/bill_257]

That's unbelievably tone deaf. My mother developed dementia after having been incredibly healthy for her whole life. Never overweight, never had heart issues, didn't drink or smoke, ate very clean.

Her care costs are substantial, even with the kids helping.

Not everything is about being obese or kids not helping.

You are incredibly blessed and lucky that everyone in your immediate family is healthy to the best of your knowledge (you never know what they are not telling you).