Today, these products simply form the building blocks of the plan because clients (and advisers) want more – they want to develop and maintain long-term relationships. Both appreciate that this is where the real value lies; it is more of a financial coaching relationship.
Clients who are engaged in, or about to embark upon, an adviser relationship appreciate the need to plan financially for their whole lives. Life expectancy rates continue to rise, as does the cost of living, and people are beginning to realise that they need to have a plan in place to help ensure their money does not run out. The adviser’s job is to empower their client and help them take control of and manage their finances, which can be achieved through simple tools like cashflow modelling.
Cashflow modelling helps to give the client an accurate picture of their future, whether good or bad. It shows them in a way that could not be achieved from numbers and figures alone. I like to highlight their financial futures on a big screen – which can sometimes be disconcerting, but it is the only way to truly paint a picture. I recently used cashflow modelling with a new client of mine (aged 57), and he commented: “I now understand my financial planning for the first time – this is brilliant.”
The outcomes are not always negative; I was able to identify on behalf of another client (through his financial plan) that he was saving too much money. And with no children or dependants, he would – effectively – be taking millions to his grave. The outcome: he is able to retire five years earlier than he had originally planned.
However, the stark reality is that the majority of people see that they are simply not saving enough for their retirement. Working together, we are able to look at alternatives like should the client work longer and push back their retirement? Or do they downscale their planning and aim to have less in their later years? Or do they simply put more effort into saving now? Whatever the decision they make, for many they feel empowered, and often for the first time. It is simple really, but I would say that this is all brought about by this new type of relationship.
