Banking on the children

When it comes to the future, three out of four of UAE-based Indians expect their children to support them in their retirement.

When it comes to the future, three out of four UAE-based Indians expect their children to support them in their retirement.

This is according to the Standard Life NRI (Non Resident Indian) Wealth Study, which also revealed that one in four expat Indians planned to return to India when they retired, with another 25 per cent hoping to relocate elsewhere.

But with fewer than 10 per cent saving into a specific retirement plan - instead preferring tangible assets such as gold, diamonds and property - the heavy reliance on offspring for future financial support is a concern for experts.

"While that obviously demonstrates strong family values, there is a risk your children won't be financially capable to do that so it is a big gamble," says Chris Divito, the chief executive of Standard Life International in Dubai, a long-term savings and investment company.

Only 3 per cent of those surveyed stated categorically that they did not expect their children to support them.

Mr Divito adds: "We recommend, regardless of your nationality or culture, that you take responsibility for your own financial future and perhaps rely on your children as part of that - but it needs to be a balanced package."

But while expats said they looked to their offspring for support in the future, their priority while they worked was their children's education.

"Ninety per cent are either saving for their children's education or paying for their children's education right now. There was the sense they had to take responsibility for their own financial well-being but that they would transfer that wealth to their children at some point in the future," says Mr Divito.