By, Russ Hill, Executive Chairman
It’s been said that one of mankind’s greatest achievements has been the extension of life expectancy over the last 100+ years. In the US, life expectancy extended from 48 years in 1900 to almost 79 years, and increasing again recently. But do we want to merely tack another 30 years onto the end of life?
In my work with the Stanford Center on Longevity (“SCL”), the last dozen years or so as Chair of their Advisory Council, I’ve come to see that optimizing longevity is fundamentally different from maximizing it. The distinction isn’t simply semantic—it shapes how we and our families prepare for and live through our extended futures.
What Does Longevity Planning Mean?
Longevity optimization isn’t about chasing some mythical fountain of youth; it’s about creating a road map for a journey that now includes many more miles and unexpected turns. Throughout my decades advising clients, I’ve observed that those who thrive in later years focus on several key dimensions:
- Building a foundation of human and financial capital that supports their life’s purpose
- Designing flexibility into all stages of the journey—including what used to be called “retirement”
- Anticipating transitions as opportunities rather than disruptions
- Creating financial security designed to withstand the inevitable detours
- Fostering intergenerational relationships that enrich all involved
Explore the New Money Issue of SCL Magazine
With this in mind, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the Money Issue of #SCL Magazine is here! From baby bonds to brain science to hip-hop and financial literacy, explore how money helps shape longer lives and ways to make it work for you. Read the full issue now: https://longevity.stanford.edu/issue-2/
If you like what you see, subscribe for a monthly exploration of what increased longevity might mean for you and for your family.
It’s free.
Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors, LLC (“HH”) is an SEC registered investment adviser with its principal place of business in Long Beach, California. HH may only transact business in those states in which it is registered, notice filed, or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration or notice filing requirements. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. For information pertaining to the registration status of HH, please contact HH or refer to the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure web site (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov). Additional information about HH, including our registration status, fees, and services can be found at www.halberthargrove.com.
The Stanford Center on Longevity (“SCL”) is not an affiliate of HH. HH is not responsible for the content published in SCL Magazine. No portion of the contents should be construed as advice or recommendations from HH. This blog is provided for general information purposes only. No portion of the content serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from HH or any other investment professional of your choosing. It should not be construed as a solicitation to offer personal securities transactions or provide personalized investment advice. The information provided does not constitute any legal, tax or accounting advice. We recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified attorney and accountant. All opinions or views reflect the judgment of the author as of the publication date and are subject to change without notice. All information presented herein is considered to be accurate at the time of writing, but no warranty of accuracy is given and no liability in respect of any error or omission is accepted.
