Young Caregivers Are Stretching Retirement, Study Finds

Care.com's 2026 Sandwich Generation Report shows caregiving is moving younger, with dual duties starting at an average age of 34 and often occurring abruptly. This squeeze raises annual costs over $25,000 when unpaid hours are counted, hurts careers (7 in 10 caregivers report some work impact), and jeopardizes retirement (about 6 in 10 expect retirement to be affected, and ~20% may never fully retire). The trend coincides with aging parents and kids needing support at once, amplifying financial stress just as Americans enter peak earning years. Experts urge stabilizing personal finances first (including capturing employer 401(k) matches), early long-term care planning, exploring LTC options or hybrid life policies, and pushing for more flexible workplaces. Resources like LTC planning tools, government programs, and caregiver support networks are recommended to start before a crisis hits.