Relying on an inheritance for financial stability is being advised against by experts.

This comes after research from Perpetual Guardian shows one in 10 people are relying on an inheritance to keep them afloat in later life.

Financial advisor Martin Hawes says people are putting themselves in stretched financial positions, largely over property, and are hoping for a windfall from Mum and Dad.

He told Mike Hosking that might come through but it's not a safe bet.

"Anything can happen, the parents can make a financial mistake, that moneys then not there. The parents could separate and split their money, who knows? Life is full of all these little twists and turns."

He says banking on money that's not there yet, isn't a sound financial strategy.

"I've got a basic a rule and that is I don't count my money until it's in the tin."

LISTEN ABOVE AS MARTIN HAWES SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING