OTTAWA – New research from TD Canada Trust suggests boomers are taking on an added financial burden as they prepare for retirement — their “boomerang kids.”

The report, based on an survey by Environics Research, shows boomers are stepping up at a time of high youth unemployment offering their children help from free room and board to paying off credit cards.

Even more, one in five boomers say they would be prepared to put their own security and financial future at risk to see their children through a difficult period.

The online survey of 2,155 Canadian parents with adult children out of school conducted at the start of the year found 43 per cent saying they have allowed them to stay at home rent free, and 29 per cent saying they have helped pay for a new car or computer.

In other findings, 23 per cent say they helped with groceries and rent, and 20 per cent contributed to credit card payments.

Nineteen per cent of boomers said the would consider putting their own security in jeopardy to help out.

Economists have noted that the 2008-09 recession was particularly difficult on young Canadians, who lost jobs in a higher proportion than other workers.

At 14.2 per cent, youth unemployment remains about twice that of other workers.