Retirement planning has traditionally been a deeply personal endeavor—an exercise in reflection and resource allocation conducted behind closed doors between clients and their advisors. However, a cultural shift is emerging in the wealth management space, as more advisors recognize the importance of involving the next generation in financial conversations. This evolution is not just a response to client aging or anticipated wealth transfers but is rooted in a deeper understanding of how family dynamics and long-term legacy planning intersect. Experts like Graydon Coghlan have emphasized the importance of fostering inclusive, intergenerational dialogue in financial planning settings.
The quiet nature of this transformation may belie its importance. Today’s pre-retirees and retirees are increasingly aware that the decisions they make now will impact not just their own quality of life but the stability and financial literacy of their children. As a result, many are seeking ways to open lines of communication with their families while also protecting their privacy and independence. Advisors are uniquely positioned to help clients find that balance, and educational forums like retirement seminars and appreciation events can serve as critical bridges.
Why Adult Children Belong at the Planning Table
Bringing adult children into the retirement planning process is not about relinquishing control. Rather, it is about preparing future generations to make informed decisions, handle unexpected transitions, and understand the intentions behind a parent’s financial choices. The fear of uncomfortable conversations often deters families from engaging in this kind of planning together. Yet, when families approach these discussions proactively, the benefits are profound. Expectations are aligned. Surprises are minimized. Legacies are preserved with dignity and clarity.
By attending seminars alongside their parents, adult children receive more than just information. They witness a proactive mindset and an example of thoughtful decision-making. They begin to appreciate the complexity of retirement choices—investment strategies, income planning, healthcare costs, and more—and how those choices may ripple into their own futures. Perhaps most importantly, they begin to build a relationship with their family’s advisor, forming a foundation of trust that can carry through future transitions, including estate execution and the management of inherited wealth.
Events as Educational Platforms for the Whole Family
Client appreciation events are often viewed as celebrations—a chance to give back to loyal clients and deepen personal connections. However, for firms that see education as a cornerstone of service, these events are more than social functions. They become living classrooms. In the context of CFG Wealth Management, retirement-focused dinners with industry guest speakers serve a dual purpose: to offer cutting-edge financial insights and to create a welcoming environment for broader family participation.
Unlike formal office meetings, these seminars allow clients and their guests to engage with complex topics in a relaxed, conversational setting. When adult children are present, they have the opportunity to listen, reflect, and ask questions without the pressure of decision-making. They’re not being put on the spot; they’re being invited to learn. This informal education often sparks follow-up discussions at home—ones that might not have occurred otherwise.
This environment also removes some of the stigma or emotional weight from talking about money. In many families, finances are still considered a taboo subject. But when those discussions are reframed as part of a shared learning experience—especially when facilitated by professionals in a neutral space—they feel less intrusive and more constructive. An adult child may leave an event with not only a better understanding of their parent’s goals but also new inspiration for their own financial future.
Bridging the Communication Gap Across Generations
The gap between generations isn’t just one of age—it’s one of experience, perspective, and often, values. Many adult children grew up during times of economic flux, shaped by events like the Great Recession or the COVID-19 pandemic. Their approach to investing, saving, and planning for the future may differ markedly from that of their parents. When these differences are not acknowledged or understood, they can lead to conflict, especially during estate transitions or crisis situations.
Inviting adult children into financial conversations helps bridge this divide. Advisors can help translate between generations, aligning strategy with values while also honoring the unique viewpoints each family member brings. These interactions can also highlight areas of mutual concern—long-term care, legacy giving, tax strategy—and ensure that all parties are informed and comfortable with the approach.
From the advisor’s perspective, engaging adult children early helps extend the client relationship across generations. It is far more effective to begin building trust before a wealth transfer occurs than to attempt a relationship in the wake of grief or confusion. When adult children already understand the logic behind a portfolio or the reasoning behind a particular estate plan, they are less likely to challenge those choices and more likely to maintain continuity in the advisory relationship.
Creating a Culture of Openness in Retirement Planning
One of the most valuable outcomes of multigenerational participation in financial events is the culture it begins to cultivate. Rather than viewing financial planning as something to be hidden or feared, families start to see it as a shared responsibility—a gift, even, that can be passed from one generation to the next. Clients who bring their children to events are often making a broader statement about the importance of legacy and stewardship. They’re signaling a desire not just to transfer wealth, but to transfer wisdom.
This kind of cultural shift doesn’t happen overnight. It takes intention, repetition, and often a little courage. CFG Wealth Management’s decision to host educational events that are open to guests, and to create an atmosphere where family members feel welcome, is a powerful catalyst. Each dinner or seminar becomes a moment of influence, a chance to plant a seed of understanding that may grow into future financial confidence.
Planning for Tomorrow, Together
Ultimately, retirement planning is not just about reaching a number or maximizing investment returns. It’s about building a life—and a legacy—that can weather changes and bring peace of mind. For many clients, that peace of mind is rooted not only in their own preparedness but in the knowledge that their family is equipped to carry forward their values and decisions.
Inviting adult children to participate in this process—whether through formal meetings, casual conversations, or educational events—is a meaningful step. It builds transparency. It fosters resilience. And it strengthens relationships not only within families, but between families and their advisory teams.
As the financial industry continues to evolve, those firms that embrace this multigenerational approach will be best positioned to serve their clients deeply and over the long term. By transforming retirement seminars into opportunities for connection and education, CFG Wealth Management is not just planning for tomorrow—they are creating it, hand in hand with the next generation.