Retirees expect their home to be a financial safety net. They shouldn’t.
Older homeowners often can’t afford to maintain their houses.
From The Times
May 24, 2026

Many retirees expect homeownership to keep them financially secure, considering it a source of capital to fall back on as they age.

An illustration depicts a house covered in green leaves that are flying off one end, revealing a bare tree. An older man rakes the leaves, now dollar bills, from the yard.

Hannah Agosta

This can be a risky strategy, new research shows.

MORE TOP STORIES

A black-and-white portrait of Sethi wearing a V-neck sweater over a button-down shirt.

A personal finance star shared what millennials need from their boomer parents.

Sarah Coomber holds a cup with both hands while talking and sitting next to James Coomber in a common room.

Readers in the trenches of elder-parent care offered five money lessons.

A baby’s mobile with small wooden toys hanging from it.

From Opinion

Why so few babies? We might have overlooked the biggest reason of all.

Get a better grasp on your finances.

Sign up for the Your Money newsletter

Get a better grasp on your finances.

Get it in your inbox

If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance.

You received this message because you signed up for updates from The New York Times.

To stop receiving From The Times, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings.

Subscribe to The Times

Connect with us on:

facebookxinstagramwhatsapp

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

Zeta LogoAdChoices Logo

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018