The Next Chapter Newsletter

Why him – or me?

Most days the mission of Next Chapter is upbeat. We aren’t so much “sunny” as “realistic”.?More practical than hopeful.?

So, the death of our friend and Next Chapter colleague, Gavin Spitzner at just 57 was a punch in the gut that stopped us cold. Frenzied in our daily lives and mostly remote from each other, we traded text messages and telephone calls and posted thoughts about Gavin on?LinkedIn and Twitter. We mourned out loud and with transparency because that’s how we communicate now about everything – including Gavin –?who provided the gift of transparency into his battle with AML, along with his customary objectivity, positivity… and a fair share of emojis…?

Gavin was one of Next Chapter’s founding members and he would remind us right now that our job is a noble mission to help all people deal with the unexpected. We know the unexpected is really only unexpected by clients who have not planned for their future and contemplated the potential potholes and pitfalls. Gavin was always reminding us to consider the person, the family, and be mindful that very few clients know what we know. Therein lies both our greatest value and our greatest responsibility – to improve those outcomes. For everyone.?

With his passing, we have lost a thought leader and industry expert, but also a truly authentic human being who walked the talk of our values. We will make him proud of the example he set for us.?

Of course, he prompted thoughts about retirement gone bad, so I’ve started with the?history of my family’s retirement wreckage . Hard to watch and not learn – another gift of perspective most clients do not experience.

And as if retirement planning were not difficult enough, we also have?biology working against us ?as well.

Lastly, meet?Sue and Ben , the ideal clients you can actually help.

WealthTech on Deck: Rethinking Retirement with Steve Gresham

The demographic shift toward an older population, concerns about the financial sustainability of traditional pension systems, and lengthening life expectancies are just a few of the challenges facing retirement systems today.

While connecting and coordinating human and digital advice is key to successful wealth management, how can financial advisory firms accelerate the development of their wealth management platforms to meet the needs of the retiring age wave?

Listen here.

My Family Made Me Do IT

I was fortunate to know all of my grandparents and three great grandparents,?and to see all of them battle significant and scary events in their latest years. All of my older relatives were tough, independent people who lived on their own as long as they could. Here are their stories of retirement wreckage.

Read the blog here.

Pick Up The Phone – It's Older (And Wiser) You Calling

Most people are not prepared for retirement. And most people are not prepared for a natural disaster. Is there a connection??

Read the blog here.

Sue and Ben

Sue and Ben could be the ideal clients. They do their homework. They plan. They actually like to plan. They have investments, life insurance. They work well with financial professionals. Their $2 million in savings seems like a home run now that they are on the “starting line” of retirement at 66 and 67.?But….

Read the blog here.

Remembering Gavin Spitzner

Gavin was a?thought leader and industry expert?who provided the gift of transparency into his battle with AML, along with his customary objectivity, positivity,?and a fair share of emojis.?Gavin was one of Next Chapter’s founding members. He will be missed greatly.

For more information on the Next Chapter Community,?visit the website ?or?follow us on LinkedIn .