Living Well: Your Guide to Lifelong Health and Wealth Planning

52 Pages·2007·0.44 MB·English

by  Northern Trust

W E A L T H M A N A G E M E N T S T R A T E G I E S
Living Well
Your Guide for Lifelong Health and Wealth Planning
E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y
Chances are you may consider your health and your Living Well, Your Guide for Lifelong Health and Wealth
wealth as separate and distinct aspects of your life. Planning provides you and your family with leading-
More and more high-net-worth individuals, however, edge perspectives on important trends affecting health
are discovering the relationship between maintaining and wealth and is built around the following insights:
good health through the years and effectively planning
■ Prevention: Using thoughtful strategies, employing
and managing their financial affairs.
new tools and taking action before any health or
With two-thirds of high-net-worth households wealth issues take root can enable you to meet your
concerned that rising healthcare costs could impact goals without sacrificing your current quality of life.
their ability to enjoy retirement1, it is clear this is a
■ Proactive Planning: Adopting a holistic, compre-
critical issue that can affect anyone’s financial plans,
hensive approach that encompasses an increasing
regardless of income. And as life expectancies
range of health and wealth options can help you
increase, we face not only the possibility of our own
obtain better long-term results.
health-related expenses, but also those of our parents.
For this reason, the concept of combining health and ■ Professional Relationships: Open communication
wealth considerations for a more holistic approach to with experienced medical and financial advisors can
financial management makes good sense. be key to navigating complex issues and ensuring
that recommended solutions reflect your physical
and financial needs, as well as your overall values.
In a joint effort with PinnacleCare, a pioneer of personal
healthcare advocacy, Northern Trust has created this
paper to help our clients, PinnacleCare members and
others in the community analyze the complex array
of options available for effectively managing both
personal health and financial assets.
The detailed recommendations and strategies presented
here for each stage of life were designed to promote
a healthy and rewarding future. By focusing on
situational factors and solutions, we hope to provide
you with a helpful roadmap for each life stage and
offer insight into some of the issues you and your
family may encounter today and in the years ahead.
C O N T E N T S
ESCAL ATING HEALTHC ARE COSTS
C AN AFFECT YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
NEW APPROAC HES TO PROMOTE AND
PROTECT YOUR HEALTH & WEALTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
FIVE PATHSTONES TO OPTIMUM HEALTH AND WEALTH . . . . . . . . . . 8
HEALTH & WEALTH PL ANNING: AGE-BY- AGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
EARLY YEARS: B IRTH TO AGE 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS: AGES 15 TO 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
PIVOTAL YEARS: AGES 25 TO 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
SANDWIC H GENERAT ION: AGES 40 TO 54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
MATURING YEARS: AGES 55 TO 65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
PR IME T IME: AGES 66+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
A ROADMAP FOR LIFELONG HEALTH AND WEALTH PL ANNING . . . . 41
FOOTNOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
SOURCES FOR ADDIT IONAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
APPENDIX: SCREENING AND IMMUNIZATIONS AGE-BY- AGE . . . . . . 45
ABOUT THE AUTHORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
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E S C A L A T I N G H E A L T H C A R E N E W A P P R O A C H E S T O
C O S T S C A N A F F E C T Y O U R P R O M O T E A N D P R O T E C T
F I N A N C I A L H E A L T H Y O U R H E A L T H & W E A L T H
Wealth in America 2007, Northern Trust’s survey of
Prevention
1,002 millionaire investors, revealed the majority of
For most of medical history, the focus has been on
high-net-worth individuals are worried their health, and
the diagnosis and treatment of disease. However,
that of their spouses, will negatively affect their finances.
a revolution is taking place that promises to alter
In addition, nearly two-thirds of these affluent house-
both the goals and methods of medical practice – a
holds are concerned spiraling healthcare costs will
shift from the treatment of disease to the proactive
significantly impact their ability to enjoy retirement.2
promotion of lifelong good health. Rather than waiting
Unfortunately, many of these same families still
for disease or a chronic health problem to develop,
are not taking action on the essential elements of their
physicians and patients alike are building strategies to
retirement and wealth transfer plans to ensure they
actively prevent poor health and encourage optimum
will have sufficient assets to cover potential heathcare
wellness. There have been tremendous strides in this
costs. This was confirmed by a survey of 792 affluent
arena, especially in the early diagnosis and treatment
American adults, including 478 individuals with more
of life-threatening conditions such as cancer, heart
than $1 million in investable assets.3 Surprisingly,
disease and infectious diseases.
37% do not have a will, directives to physicians,
One factor driving this elemental change is the speed
powers of attorney for both property and healthcare,
with which science is uncovering new early indicators
or a trust – despite the critical importance of each in
of both disease processes and an individual’s risk
meeting basic personal and financial needs.
of developing certain illnesses. The Emory/Georgia
Looking ahead, greater consideration will need to
Tech Predictive Health Initiative, a groundbreaking
be given to providing care to family members as well.
multi-year, multi-discipline project, is one of the
According to the MetLife Mature Market Institute,
leaders in the predictive medicine movement.
within 25% of U.S. households, at least one adult cares
According to
for an elderly person. Of course, our obligations don’t
Dr. Kenneth L. Seventy percent of illness
end there. Medical care costs also should be factored
Brigham, Director in the U.S., including
in for parents, siblings and other relatives.
of the Initiative, cardiovascular disease,
With life expectancies rising and as many as
“The goal of the cancer, lung disease,
30 million individuals expected to reach retirement
Predictive Health depression, high blood
over the next 10 years – and remain in retirement
Initiative is to move pressure and diabetes,
for decades longer than previous generations –
4
the healthcare system is related to lifestyle.
individuals and families alike need to determine
from a disease focus
how best to provide for their physical and financial
to a health focus. We are developing ways to monitor an
health today and for decades to come.
individual’s health with precision so we will be able to
intervene before disease or organ failure take root. What
we are looking at are genetic processes that can be
measured. These processes are the pre-symptomatic
disturbances that underlie disease.”
N O R T H E R N T R U S T | 5
The importance of a person’s lifestyle also is a proven from simple and proven actions that can be taken now,
indicator of long-term health. Dr. Martin Sullivan, a enabling them to determine tradeoffs between current
member of PinnacleCare’s Medical Advisory Board, and future needs so they can reach their goals over time
a founder of Duke Center for Integrative Medicine – without paying high transfer taxes or sacrificing
and head of Healthtrack, Inc., notes, “How we live our quality of life.
lives has a tremendous effect on our health. You can Effective financial planning incorporates a holistic
improve your life expectancy by eating a healthy diet, approach – starting with a deep understanding of
exercising regularly, reducing stress and cultivating your values, developing a comprehensive plan around
strong, positive relationships with family and friends. your goals and implementing solutions in a timely,
I’m convinced that the best medicine is prevention.” cost-effective manner. As the graphic below illustrates,
The same can be said when it comes to a person’s your plan needs to be based on an integrated analysis
financial lifestyle. It takes preventive medicine to of the various aspects of your financial life from
ensure long-term financial health. Designing a solid ongoing cash and debt management to build and
investment program that incorporates a sound insurance manage wealth, to long-term tax and estate planning
plan and proper asset allocation strategy is critical to techniques to protect and transfer wealth.
achieving this goal.
OUR HOLISTIC APPROACH TO WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Increasingly, people must depend on themselves
to plan, save and invest for a longer, more expensive
retirement, which often may involve caretaking for
older generations as well. In the past, they often could
rely on a number of sources such as their employer,
personal savings and government benefits to support
themselves during retirement years. Because there
are so many unknown variables related to a family’s
financial resources and long-term needs, one thing is
certain: we no longer can afford to wait until we are
near retirement to determine whether we have done
what is necessary to provide for our families.
Proactive Planning
Adopting a holistic, comprehensive approach that One sophisticated analytical tool employed by
encompasses an increasing range of alternative health financial advisors to help high-net-worth individuals
and wealth options can help you obtain better long-term better predict future financial needs is known as a
results, so why don’t more people begin planning earlier? Monte Carlo Simulation. This tool enables the advisor
For many, financial planning is very difficult to incorporate a client’s goals and values along with a
to execute. Dealing with the various issues related to full range of financial resources to model scenarios
lifestyle, family obligations and legacy can be complex and help estimate whether individuals have sufficient
and daunting. As a result, many people wait until a financial resources to support themselves and their
crisis forces them to focus on what needs to be done. families during their life expectancy.
This lack of planning prevents them from benefiting
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Similarly, most financial planning software provides medicine options into
“what if” analyses for estate planning, insurance analysis the traditional model
Though today’s investors
and the like. Such cutting-edge tools allow advisors of medical care,
have instantaneous access to
to make planning projections for a client’s retirement, patients will benefit
more knowledge and global
education and major purchase goals, ultimately giving from the best these
financial data than at any
clients a view of an outcome before they embark down have to offer and will
other time in history, important
a given path. be prepared to work
questions still remain: What
Likewise, the holistic medicine revolution empha- toward their best
does it all mean for me? How
sizes the need to look at the whole person, including health future.
will all this help me achieve
analysis of physical, nutritional, environmental, Similar to the
my financial goals?
emotional, social, spiritual and lifestyle values. It changes in healthcare
focuses on education and responsibility for personal delivery, the rapid
efforts to achieve balance and well-being. growth in global financial markets has produced
This new medical revolution also has been more investment choices across an expanded set of
influenced significantly by complementary medicine, asset classes and markets. In fact, at a typical private
which combines traditional and alternative medical wealth management firm, there are now 14.5 billion
practices for treating the mind, body and spirit. combinations of products and client segments.5 While
Acupuncture, meditation and certain dietary therapies these choices offer individual investors potential for
are expanding the range of options available for people both enhanced return opportunities and meaningful
who strive to proactively improve their health and diversification benefits, determining the most
enhance the effects of traditional medical treatments. appropriate strategy to capitalize on new investment
No longer on the fringes of medicine, complementary options can be difficult and time consuming. Due to
medicine is practiced at world-renowned medical the complexity of the options and potential solutions,
institutions including Johns Hopkins Hospital, one of the keys to sound financial management is
Cleveland Clinic, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to engage a team of legal, financial and investment
and Memorial Sloan-Kettering. advisors who collaborate to develop and implement
comprehensive plans designed around your needs.
Professional Relationships This collaborative behavior appears to be much
stronger among high-net-worth investors today than
Keeping abreast of the changes in medicine, as well as
it was five or 10 years ago. Finance training through
in financial services, requires access to knowledgeable
MBA programs, educational insights from a plethora
professionals. John Hutchins, a co-founder of
of investment publications and personal experience
PinnacleCare, notes, “While new scientific and
through managing retirement accounts has led more
diagnostic tools are extremely valuable in both
and more affluent individuals to look to advisors in a
maintaining health and treating disease, one of the
consultative manner rather than simply delegating all
key foundations of a strong preventive health strategy
decision making to them.6
has always been and remains a good relationship and
open communication with your physician and the
hands-on physical exam.” According to Hutchins, by
bringing the latest science and complementary
N O R T H E R N T R U S T | 7
F I V E P A T H S T O N E S T O O P T I M U M H E A L T H A N D W E A L T H
With the need for a foundation built on prevention, proactive planning and professional relationships clearly identified,
the following five-step process can keep you on the right path toward effective health and wealth planning through the
various stages of life.
1
Identify Motivations
and Goals
5 2
Monitor and Evaluate Evaluate Current
Your Results Situation
4 3
Align Resources to Develop Integrated
Implement Plan Strategies
Step One: Identify motivations and goals
Health Wealth
Your life goals are the starting point for your commit- Think about your short- and long-term goals. What
ment to proactive self-care. Consider the following do you want to accomplish during your life and how
to gain a vision of yourself now and in the future, would you like to help others financially during your
living life as you choose. This picture will keep you lifetime and thereafter?
motivated and on a strong health track.
■ Manage debt prudently.
■ Take stock of your life goals, daily and in the future. ■ Buy a new, second or third home.
■ Assess what current and future responsibilities ■ Save and invest more for retirement and travel.
(job, childrearing, etc.) require your good health. ■ Pay for college education for children or
■ Consider your favorite enjoyable activities which grandchildren.
require your good health. ■ Select sound investments to build wealth.
■ Plot health milestones you would you like to reach ■ Contribute more time or money to charity.
and schedule when you want to reach them. ■ Maintain appropriate insurance coverage to
■ Envision future life events you look forward to, such protect you and your family.
as graduations, marriages, grandchildren, etc. ■ Retire early and spend more time with family.
■ Imagine how you want to live in retirement for ■ Minimize income and transfer taxes.
optimal enjoyment.
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Step Two: Evaluate current situation
Health Wealth
Each phase of life has its own health challenges that vary You (and your spouse) need to analyze your current
according to your genetic makeup and life situation. financial situation.
Getting a complete snapshot of your health, as it stands
■ What do you own?
today, is essential to address current issues and to
■ How much do you spend/owe?
prepare for your best resistance to future challenges.
■ How are your investments allocated?
Reevaluate at each life phase.
■ What is your insurance coverage?
■ Undergo age appropriate medical screenings. ■ What is the status of your estate plan?
■ Ensure necessary immunizations. ■ How much will you need for retirement?
■ Consider family medical history. ■ What is your income tax bracket?
■ Learn ideal ranges for key health factors ■ If you were to die tomorrow, how much
(e.g. height/weight equations). transfer tax would be due?
■ Identify lifestyle factors that impact
your health.
■ Consolidate medical records of each
family member.
■ Gain sense of health baseline for each
family member.
Step Three: Develop integrated strategies
Health Wealth
Effective strategies need to be centered on you and Effective financial strategies should be centered on
your family’s goals and values, while also integrating your goals and values, integrating considerations
various considerations, such as existing health across many areas, including:
conditions, risks and dreams.
■ Net worth analysis
■ Keep current on latest scientific findings on ■ Retirement and cash flow
health, disease and prevention. ■ Business succession
■ Understand each family member’s health baseline ■ Investments and asset allocation
in order to measure reasonable progress towards ■ Compensation and benefits
each near-term and long-term goal. ■ Stock options
■ Integrate your family members’ goals for ■ Single stock exposure risk management
maximum mutual support. ■ Insurance
■ Build contingency strategies based on health ■ Education and major goal funding
histories and outlooks. ■ Estate planning and charitable giving
■ Income taxes
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Step Four: Align resources to implement plan
Health Wealth
Once goals and strategies are constructed, it is time to Having a team of experienced, highly qualified financial
align a team to ensure staying on track. Busy lives require advisors to help you implement financial decisions is
stalwart, credible allies in the march to good health. often the difference between having a good plan and
achieving good results.
■ Consider professional healthcare advocacy
to integrate implementation of your family ■ Consider using a financial planner to be
health plan. your family’s financial quarterback among
■ Ensure full communication of strategies among all your advisors.
family members and physician team. ■ Ensure proper communication among investment,
■ Add other allies such as teachers, supportive estate, tax and insurance professionals.
friends and other non-medical allies who can ■ Assess advisors in terms of qualifications and
support your family’s health and welfare. compatibility with your own goals and style.
■ Assess physician team in terms of compatibility ■ Ensure that your financial team has a complete
with health goals, accessibility and expertise accounting of your financial life.
vis-à-vis your family’s needs. ■ Ensure your consolidated records are accessible
■ Ensure your consolidated records are accessible to all partners so they can handle financial issues
to all health partners so they can handle medical and proactively take advantage of opportunities.
issues proactively as they arise.
Step Five: Monitor and evaluate your results
Wealth
Health
Also on an ongoing basis, you need to evaluate your
On an ongoing basis, you need to evaluate your
financial resources and where you stand compared to
health status and determine where you are in relation
your financial plan. Changes in the economy, markets
to your health goals and plans. Are your strategies on
and tax law should be monitored to determine if your
course? Are your allies and physicians the right team
financial plan requires adjustment. You need to consider
to keep you on course?
what has been accomplished and what more needs to
Are new resources needed to achieve your best
be done. This is particularly true as your family grows
health? Given today’s rapid medical advances, it is
and life events change or impact your circumstances
essential to stay abreast of new developments and
and objectives.
adjust your plan accordingly.
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