Around one in five over-45s plan to leave full-time employment to care for an older relative or partner, a report has claimed.
Aviva polled 2,020 employees over the age of 45 and found that 19% faced a care conundrum, with many concerned about covering care costs.
The report said that women (20%) were slightly more likely than men (17%) to walk away from work to care for a loved one.
Lindsey Rix, managing director at Aviva, said:
"The financial and emotional costs of caring for relatives are forcing many people to make increasingly difficult decisions about balancing their commitments.
"Mid-life is the fastest growing age demographic in the UK workforce, so we can expect these pressures to grow."
Over-45s who provide at least 35 hours a week can claim the carers' allowance, worth £66.15 a week.
However, a carer loses their entitlement to this allowance if they earn more than £123 a week on top of receiving this government support.
The carers' allowance is thought to be in line for reform ahead of Budget 2019, following criticism from a Department for Work and Pensions select committee.
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