According to the more detailed report [1] the questions and answers were:

Q2630. Do you currently consider yourself financially independent?

Yes: 72% No: 28%

Q2634. How financially independent do you currently feel from your parents (meaning you could support yourself without them if needed)?

Fully independent: 44% Mostly independent: 17% Somewhat dependent: 17% Fully dependent: 8% Not applicable: 14%

Then they report 17+17+8=42 = "42% of adults rely on their parents for financial support"

[1] https://news.northwesternmutual.com/download/2026+P%26P+Mark...

There’s a huge spectrum. I’m mid 40s and my wife grew up much wealthier than I did. We have done quite well, but I I’m a bit frugal, like to save, despise waste and excess, and therefore don’t like traveling like they do. I like traveling but all the fancy upgraded experiences at every turn is what I refuse to spend money on. But we don’t go without, we “rely” on my in laws to upgrade our travel (or that’s how my wife has structured the relationship with them, they pay for everything and we cover the drinks is basically how it works out). I’m not a huge fan of it but they don’t care and it keeps my wife off my back lol, so whatever. We travel with them a lot but even when we don’t I think my wife uses their card to pay for it. It’s between them is what I say, I don’t want to be a part of it as it feels like we’re taking advantage of them but apparently they’re fine with it. Is this fitting the definition of “rely” because it’s nonessential