Written by: Kristen Jowers, Nichole Huff, and Peyton Mays
A dual caregiver is an adult in the “sandwich generation” who provides care or financial support for their children while also supporting an aging parent or other adult family member. Also referred to as the “Sandwich Generation,” nearly 17 million Americans, and 29% of caregivers of adults, are raising children while caring for an adult with a complex medical condition or disability (AARP & National Alliance for Caregiving, 2026).
For military families, relocations, deployments, employment changes, childcare, and distance from extended family can shape how dual caregiving responsibilities are managed. Military family service providers can help caregivers identify financial needs, maintain their own financial priorities (e.g., retirement and emergency savings), and connect with relevant military and community resources.
Balancing Multigenerational Needs
Begin by creating a spending plan that distinguishes the caregivers’ household resources from the parents’ resources. Document the parents’ retirement income, retirement account balances, pensions, Social Security benefits, insurance coverage, and other assets that may be available for their care. Then compare those resources with anticipated expenses to estimate the amount and duration of support the caregivers may need to provide. Keep parents’ funds separate from the caregivers’ accounts and use them only for the parents’ expenses.
With the parents’ resources and potential support needs identified, turn to the caregivers’ own household budget, including emergency savings and retirement contributions. The National Institute on Retirement Security (2026) found that 61% of Americans are concerned they will not achieve financial security in retirement. Dual caregivers can account for their own retirement savings by automating recurring contributions. For military families, automatic contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan can support continued retirement savings and allow eligible service members to receive matching contributions. Families can adjust contribution amounts as their circumstances change.
Care Expenses and Health Coverage
Once financial priorities and gaps are identified, service providers can help families determine which military and community programs warrant further review. Dependent care flexible spending accounts let military families set aside pre-tax dollars from their paychecks to cover eligible dependent care expenses, including daycare, preschool, after-school care, summer day camp, and elder care. Medicaid may also be able to help with eligible elder care expenses, although eligibility is determined by state. For information specifically about Medicare coverage for aging parents, providers can view OneOp’s on-demand webinar, Medicare 101: Simplifying Enrollment and Benefits, which covers Medicare fundamentals, enrollment, available benefits, and coordination with TRICARE For Life and Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. Eligible veteran parents may also qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit, which can provide additional support.
Employment, Child Care, and Leave
Employment and child care resources can address two common pressures on a military family’s budget: maintaining household income and paying for care. Military spouses can use SpouseWorks for free career coaching, education and training resources, and job-search support. When military-operated child care is unavailable because of distance or waitlists, eligible families may qualify for military child care fee assistance for approved community-based or in-home care. Service providers can help families review eligibility and request care through MilitaryChildCare.com.
Caregivers may also need time away from work to support a family member. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees of covered employers with unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying reasons, including caring for a parent with a serious health condition. Service providers can encourage caregivers to review eligibility and available paid leave with their employer and account for any unpaid time in their household budget.
Family Communication and Financial Guidance
Alongside reviewing benefits and leave options, families can discuss financial preferences and caregiving responsibilities across generations. Peterson et al. (2024) reported an association between financial agreement and military couple resilience. For guidance on beginning broader family conversations, refer families to Transferring Cherished Possessions: How Can We Communicate Without Conflict?, a University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service publication. The resource provides communication strategies for discussing estate plans, distributing personal possessions, documenting wishes, and reducing misunderstandings among family members.
Finally, Personal Financial Counselors (PFCs) offer free financial counseling to eligible active-duty, National Guard, and reserve service members, as well as their family members and survivors. PFCs can assist with spending plans, retirement and estate planning, military benefits, debt and credit management, emergency savings, and other financial goals. Use the FINRED Personal Financial Counselor locator to find a counselor near you.
References
AARP & National Alliance for Caregiving. (2026). Caught in the middle: The crucial role of sandwich generation caregivers—The Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 series. AARP Public Policy Institute. https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/ltss/family-caregiving/caregiving-in-the-us-sandwich-generation/
Butrica, B., Doonan, D., & Kenneally, K. (2026). Retirement insecurity 2026: Americans’ views of retirement. National Institute on Retirement Security. https://www.nirsonline.org/research/nirsonline-org-reports-retirement-insecurity-2026/
Jowers, K., Huff, N., Breutinger, B., & Mays, P. (2025, November). Financial considerations for the sandwich generation. MONEYWI$E. https://fcs.mgcafe.uky.edu/sites/fcs.mgcafe.uky.edu/files/MONEYWISE_NOVEMBER_2025.pdf
McCulley, M., Jowers, K., & Breutinger, B. (2025, November 11). Financial survival tips for the sandwich generation [podcast]. Talking FACS. https://ukfcsext.podbean.com/e/caught-in-the-middle-financial-survival-tips-for-the-sandwich-generation/
Peterson, C., O’Neal, C. W., Lucier-Greer, M., & Okamoto, R. (2024). Finances and fights: How military members’ financial attitudes and behaviors are linked to romantic relationship processes and outcomes. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning. https://doi.org/10.1891/JFCP-2023-0146
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