Family wealth becoming a “crucial financial lifeline”: Finder

Yasmine Raso

Senior Journalist, Financial Newswire

11 July 2025

New research from prominent online comparison site, Finder, has determined a number of Australians are relying on an impending inheritance pay-out to achieve their financial goals.

According to a survey of 1,017 people, 41 per cent were expecting to receive an inheritance and 10 per cent indicated they were “dependent” on this inheritance to tick off major financial goals, including purchasing a property or retiring.

Approximately 19 per cent of those polled said while they weren’t “solely dependent” on an inheritance payment it would “significantly improve their financial situation”; 12 per cent said it would have no impact at all.

This comes despite 58 per cent of respondents agreeing that their family was either not in a position to leave an inheritance or there were circumstances preventing an inheritance from being left to the next generation.

“Millions are quietly depending on family support to achieve their financial goals, whether it’s purchasing a home, sending their kids to private school or settling debts,” Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert at Finder, said.

“With sky-high living costs and loads of wealth being held by older generations in property and super, it’s understandable that some Australians are banking on an inheritance. But, don’t put all your eggs in that basket.

“Many people are surprised after a loved one passes away to discover their financial situation is not what they expected, or that assets have been left to other people.”

In terms of the expectations of when their inheritances will land, 15 per cent believe they are due in the next one to five years, 23 per cent in the six to 10 years, and 23 per cent in more than one decade. Over one in three respondents (36 per cent) are unsure of when they will receive any inheritance payment.

Megginson urged Australians who may be relying on an inheritance payment to ensure they don’t create a “false sense of security” or delay making important financial decisions.

“It’s important to remember that not everyone has the luxury of a family windfall,” she said.

“Relying solely on this potential future support can be a gamble, so make sure you’re proactively building your own financial security at the same time.

“A sudden influx of money, even a substantial one, can quickly disappear without a clear financial strategy in place.”