His Wife Makes Substantially More Money But Refuses To Support His Elderly Parents

A 47-year-old husband, the OP (original poster), turned to an online forum with his frustrations about his wife not pitching in to support his parents financially. He agrees it is not her responsibility, but she makes significantly more money than he does.

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She refused, and OP didn’t understand her reasoning or the hostility or shock he received from the forum. Here is his story.

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OP believes his wife, who makes more money than he does, should help support his parents in retirement. His Dad has Parkinson’s and is in declining health, while his mom, as a caregiver, has challenges taking care of him.

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OP’s wife earns significantly more than her husband. She works in private equity while he teaches high school kids. The couple splits their finances equitably, with his wife paying 70% to his 30% share.

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While his wife makes (£400K aftertax, in UK pounds) or ten times more than his £40K compensation, OP explained that they settled on this split, saying, “We do this as she picks up most of the housework and childcare, and she has taken that into account when splitting the bills.” It can be uncomfortable when one partner makes more money than the other.

Her parents immigrated to the UK, sacrificing so she and her sisters could succeed. His wife and her sisters all have very high-paying jobs, one working in tech and the other being a surgeon.

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Recently, her parents retired. His wife and her sisters give their parents around £2K monthly, which OP finds ridiculous if they have pensions. She assured her husband that this money did not come from their joint account.

Meanwhile, his parents had government jobs with pensions. His sister lives on benefits and is a single mom. They are a relatively low-income family.

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His Wife Makes Substantially More Money But Refuses To Support His Elderly Parents

A 47-year-old husband, the OP (original poster), turned to an online forum with his frustrations about his wife not pitching in to support his parents financially. He agrees it is not her responsibility, but she makes significantly more money than he does.

She refused, and OP didn’t understand her reasoning or the hostility or shock he received from the forum. Here is his story.

OP believes his wife, who makes more money than he does, should help support his parents in retirement. His Dad has Parkinson’s and is in declining health, while his mom, as a caregiver, has challenges taking care of him.

Husband Wants His Wife To Support His Parents

OP’s wife earns significantly more than her husband. She works in private equity while he teaches high school kids. The couple splits their finances equitably, with his wife paying 70% to his 30% share.

Their Finances Significantly Differ But Are Split Proportionally

Her parents immigrated to the UK, sacrificing so she and her sisters could succeed. His wife and her sisters all have very high-paying jobs, one working in tech and the other being a surgeon.

Her Family Are Better Off Financially

Recently, her parents retired. His wife and her sisters give their parents around £2K monthly, which OP finds ridiculous if they have pensions. She assured her husband that this money did not come from their joint account.

Meanwhile, his parents had government jobs with pensions. His sister lives on benefits and is a single mom. They are a relatively low-income family.

His Family Is Less Financially Secure

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