First Command Study Finds 58% of Military Families Provide Eldercare and Face Rising Costs

FORT WORTH, Texas – New research from First Command Financial Services, Inc. shows that the financial and emotional strain of eldercare is rising sharply for military families. According to the latest results from the First Command Financial Behaviors Index®, 58% of middle-class military households—commissioned officers and senior NCOs (E-5 and above) earning $50,000 or more—now provide care for an elderly parent or relative. This is a major increase from 13% in 2012, when First Command began tracking eldercare trends.

This growing trend reflects aging parent populations, rising long-term care costs in military households, and the unique demands of military service, including frequent relocation and separation from extended family support networks.

Rising Eldercare Costs Put Pressure on Military Households

Military caregivers report significant financial stress related to eldercare:

• 64% report eldercare costs were higher than expected
• 51% describe these expenses as a severe financial concern

Military families now spend an average of $1,425 per month on eldercare needs, including:

• Home care services (37%)
• Nursing home expenses (21%)
• Health care services (12%)

Military Families Face Disproportionately Higher Eldercare Demands

The Index highlights that military families are much more likely than the general civilian population to assume eldercare responsibilities and experience greater financial pressure. The comparison below of military eldercare statistics highlights the scale of the military–civilian gap across key caregiving and financial stress indicators. These differences illustrate the disproportionate caregiving burden for military families compared to their civilian peers:

Eldercare Comparison		Military Families		Civilian Households
Percentage Providing Eldercare		58%		31%
Severe Financial Concern		51%		29%
Costs Higher than Expected		64%		44%

These findings reflect trends across the broader military marketplace—not just among First Command clients. Established in 2008, the Index is a long-running, continuous study of military financial behavior. By gathering data from a diverse cross-section of military households, the Financial Behaviors Index provides a reliable, representative view of the eldercare challenges facing today’s service members.

Future Eldercare Needs Expected to Increase

Looking ahead, 26% of both military families and civilian households expect they will need to care for a parent or older relative in the future.

Military Families Show Strong Planning Behaviors

Many military caregivers demonstrate proactive financial planning:

• 83% planned ahead for eldercare costs
• 24%—one in four—consulted a financial advisor

These behaviors highlight the importance of early preparation, budgeting, and professional financial guidance.

First Command Leadership Emphasizes Readiness and Support

“Military families already balance the unique demands of service with the responsibility of supporting loved ones,” said Mark Steffe, President/CEO of First Command. “Eighty-three percent of military families who are caring for an elderly relative told us they planned in advance for the costs, and one out of four sought help from a financial advisor. Working with a knowledgeable financial coach is a prudent way for military families to prepare for and deal with the economic realities of eldercare while continuing to pursue their own financial goals.”

About First Command

First Command Financial Services and its subsidiaries, including First Command Brokerage Services, First Command Advisory Services, First Command Insurance Services and First Command Bank, coach our Nation’s military families in their pursuit of financial security. Since 1958, First Command Financial Advisors have been shaping positive financial behaviors through face-to-face coaching with hundreds of thousands of client families.