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In a book I read recently, it meant the equivalent of a rollover lottery win for the character who was in the wrong place at the right time. In a random yet calculated act, the other main character (deceased) left clear instructions that all those attending his funeral should sign a register, and his estate be divided among them. The windfall of £17m did not necessarily bring happiness, however, and so the rest of the story unfolds.
The thought of the after-funeral party may not make comfortable reading. I understand that it might make you want to skip on to another blog, and read about something else entirely. But if your clients care enough about getting that after-party right for those they leave behind, it could also mean that they care about sorting out lifetime goals too, and how to plan to make them happen.
With life expectancy extending significantly, how we plan for lifetime goals (and after-parties) is undergoing radical change and requires more careful consideration. Just think – a 65-year-old in 1946 could expect to live another 13 years; in 2013 a 65-year-old can expect to live for another 23 years. And that’s just the average. Research on baby boomers points to a group of people who think of themselves as quite different to any generation preceding them.
At an 80th birthday party I was at recently, my holiday plans were the least exciting of those present. The retired war babies and baby boomers around me talked at length about trips to Vietnam, Cambodia, Mexico, walking holidays in Greece and so on. With more time to plan for, having the funds in place to support whatever clients want to do becomes ever more important. Careful financial planning can make goals a reality. If you take care of the planning, clients can simply focus on enjoying the experience. And for some, that might include planning the best party they’ll ever be late for.