Vast amounts of wealth were created in Europe in the second half of the 20th century, accompanied by significant improvements in quality of life – a trend we are now seeing in Asia. But once wealth has been generated, the big question remains: how do we use and preserve this wealth? While wealth generation and wealth preservation require two different skill sets, there are commonalities across both: thinking strategically and surrounding yourself with the right people.

Covid-19: Rethinking lifestyle and priorities
The turbulence caused by Covid-19 has made people realise that perhaps they should take a fresh look at their asset portfolios and also their lifestyles. For example, we see people selling city properties in favour of houses in the countryside. There is a renewed focus on quality of life. Retirement planning is no longer driven primarily by age, but also by affordability: how much liquidity do I need to sustain my current lifestyle?

Not only that, Covid-19 is also making people much more conscious of their own mortality, which is leading them to carry out not just medical but also financial ‘health checks’, rebase their financial position, and get their affairs in order. All these factors are likely to have a lasting and positive impact on wealth preservation.

Common pitfalls
Beyond diversified investment strategies to combat wealth attrition, there is one major wealth planning consideration: intergenerational wealth transfer. According to research firm Wealth X, individuals with a net worth of USD 5 million or more are expected to collectively transfer USD 15 trillion of wealth by 2030. It’s worth keeping in mind that wealth preservation is about not just safeguarding assets, but also preserving family values and lifestyles.

Even with so much at stake, we repeatedly see common errors that lead to missed opportunities and frustration. There are those who simply start planning too late, waiting for the perfect time to maximise benefits. They typically avoid short-term risks but increase risk in the medium and long-term. Experience shows that the timing is never perfect and the only remedy is to make a start. There are also those who try to handle it themselves because they want full control or are unwilling to invest in expertise. Lastly, many people underestimate the power of family dynamics. For example, those who fail to disclose the extent of their wealth to family members can erode trust and unity over time.

Giving the next generation a fighting chance
Just like markets, families dynamics are hard to predict, so it’s just as important to hedge against potential family disputes as it is against global events. When it comes to wealth erosion, there’s truth in the old adage ‘shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations’. More often than not, future custodians of wealth need guidance on how to preserve what their elders have accumulated. There are many steps families can take, but some are more important than others.

When family businesses run their course
It’s important to remember that some inheritors are expected to manage not just cash but family businesses, too. For families whose primary source of wealth has been a family-run business, it’s prudent to consider whether this business is the best reserve of wealth going forward. To preserve one’s current lifestyle, it might be necessary to extract capital from the business or sell – fully or partially – to ensure adequate cash flow. If pursuing the family business makes sense, and if the next generation is unwilling or unsuited to taking over the reins, seeking external leadership such as a CEO may be appropriate.

Paving the way for future generations
Preserving wealth for one or more lifetimes requires long-term, strategic thinking. With the largest ever intergenerational wealth transfer on the horizon, there has never been a greater need to plan how future generations will carry on their families’ legacies, preserving not only wealth but also values that have the power to stand the test of time and create positive impact. Philanthropy is increasingly important for families that wish to have a purpose and align their values with their wealth, by focusing on one or various sectors such as conservation, the environment, wealth inequality, or culture. In particular, in light of the pandemic, the desire to use wealth to support those less fortunate may have become more relevant than ever.