# Inheritance expectations lessen for under-45s but majority still happy for parents to leave charitable bequest, finds survey

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/08/18/inheritance-expectations-lessen-under-45s-majority-happy-parents-leave-charitable-bequest-finds-survey/
- Published: 2017-08-18T08:00:44+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**A Remember A Charity survey has found that despite financial concerns, the majority
of under-45s are still happy for their parents to leave a bequest to charity, even
though they expect to inherit less.**

[Remember A Charity](https://mandrillapp.com/track/click/30964126/www.rememberacharity.org.uk?p=eyJzIjoiSGRRajRrblBvRHVrc0V3VU11eXVRREJHMS1RIiwidiI6MSwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDk2NDEyNixcInZcIjoxLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LnJlbWVtYmVyYWNoYXJpdHkub3JnLnVrXFxcL1wiLFwiaWRcIjpcIjliNzM2YjkzYmFmODQ2MzdiNGFiOGY3NDExZjRjZmNiXCIsXCJ1cmxfaWRzXCI6W1wiOTBlMGI4MWE0OTZiODZmMTE1NmZlNDY1ZDg0Y2I0YTJmZGRkOWZmZFwiXX0ifQ)
surveyed 1,000 adults aged 30-45 and 1,000 adults aged 65+ about their attitudes
and expectations around inheritance. It found that while both groups have financial
concerns, the younger generation have a strong social conscience with two-thirds
of under-45s happy for their parents to leave a charitable bequest, donating an 
average of 16% of the value of their estate to charity. One in 10 (9%) claim that
they have actively encouraged their parents to use their Will to do social good 
and 5% said they would be happy for their parents to leave their full estate to 
charity.

The large majority (83%) of under-45s said they worry about their financial future,
and 67% have scaled down their inheritance expectations. Less than three in ten (
28%) now factor inheritance into their long-term financial planning. The rising 
cost of living, social care, property prices and Brexit were all cited as factors
that reduce people’s expectations around what they might inherit.

## Advertisement

More than half of over-65s (53%) worry about their own financial futures, but more
still (64%) have concerns about their children’s finances. While the majority of
people in this age group (53%) would like to leave a charitable gift in their Will,
family concerns prevail. On average, they say they would be happy to donate 5% of
the value of their estate, contrasting to the younger generation’s willingness for
them to give away an average of 16% of the estate.

Rob Cope, Director of Remember A Charity, said:

> “This study suggests a shift in attitudes between generations. The older generation
> is enthused about the concept of leaving a gift, but remains understandably anxious
> about the need to take care of their families.
> “Meanwhile, the under-45s have become less expectant about receiving a sizeable
> inheritance. They are happy for their parents to make provisions in their Will
> for all those things that matter to them, including good causes. Despite the spiralling
> costs of living, social care and economic uncertainty around Brexit, people have
> a strong social conscience and many even encourage their parents to use their 
> estate to make the world a better place.”

[Remember A Charity in Your Will Week](http://www.rememberacharity.org.uk/about-us/will-week/)
takes place next month, between 11^(th) and 17^(th) September.

 * **[Are you ready for Remember A Charity Week?](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/08/29/are-you-ready-for-remember-a-charity-week/)**(
   29 August 2017)
 * **[Discounted Will-writing service from Co-op marks Remember A Charity in your Will week](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/09/11/discounted-will-writing-service-co-op-marks-remember-charity-will-week/)**(
   11 September 2017)
 * **[Remember A Charity reaches 200th member milestone](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/10/26/remember-charity-reaches-200th-member-milestone/)**(
   26 October 2017)

![Loading](https://fundraising.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/page-views-count/ajax-loader-
2x.gif)