All things being equal I would agree with helping out children as much as possible, in so far as one can. In calling them children, we are in most cases talking about 35/40 year old babies, and some unfortunately take advantage of the parents and their assets. It's a pity there aren't financial products/incentives out there that would allow parents to do this and still make sure the money/asset cannot be taken from them without consequences. Once the parents give the money away, even if it's understood to be only helping out, then it's gone. Giving it to family in order to secure free stay in a nursing home is a form of tax avoidance in some peoples minds, is it not? Everyone's talking about having a nice amount in their pension pot to have a great life, but a great life for what? What they need is enough money to have a few holidays, pay private health insurance and have a few bob for eating out, keep reliable car ticking over, etc, from about 66 until 80. Doesn't matter too much after that, a lot less will do. Is there too much emphasis being put on pension pots and all that goes with that? I sure think so and i'm in that group now. What will I do with my excess cash now? I have way too much, keep looking at ways to increase it, etc, but for bloody what? Jeez, I could conk it tomorrow and herself only spends what she needs to. We've helped out our grown up kids in a good way, some would say generously, with weddings, house purchase help, car help, children help, etc. They're good kids and we're lucky but at what stage do we say" here's a big lump of dosh, do what you want with it? Or, do we keep it and pay for our own nursing home costs if they ever arise and be honest with it. Doing the latter is the correct thing to do, but some would say we would be eejits to do that. I suppose what i'm thinking is, give my money to my family or let the state have it for nursing home care that I could get for nothing? Morals, I guess, whatever they are nowdays?