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The Balance of Benefit

A Review of Intergenerational Transfers in Australia

^a School of Behavioural and Community Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Australia

Decision Editor: Laurence G. Branch, PhD

Purpose: This article reviews the financial and nonfinancial transfers taking place intergenerationally and between older people and the community. Design and Method: Secondary data were used in the analysis and discussion to provide an overview of the Australian context. Results: Within the public arena, governments provide major financial contributions through money transfers and the provision of residential support. Older people provide considerable community support by undertaking voluntary services. This article concludes that the balance of benefit is difficult to determine; however, in terms of public expenditure older people are major recipients. Within the family, the balance of benefit is reversed. Older people are major monetary contributors to adult children and their families in the transition to an independent status. Older people are also the principal carers of their frail-aged part-ners, thus reducing both the burden of care on their adult children and government institutions. Implications: The anal-ysis reported here has major implications for the development of policy and structural change and for reducing negative stereotypes of dependency in old age.

Key Words: Intergenerational transfer • Government transfers • Aged care • Monetary contributions • Voluntary contributions

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