A super-duper first-world problem incoming. My spouse and I ( 51 and 59) have a household net worth of around $11 million, which includes oversized college funds for our two teenagers. We have retired from full-time work, although one of us does some 1099 work.
We recently bought a nicer home (and its value is included in that net worth). We’re trying to increase our charitable donations and plan some exciting travel for the summer and our upcoming empty-nest lives, but none of that is likely to make a big dent in our savings.
There’s no need to leave the kids more than $1 million to $2 million each (or spending equivalent at the time they inherit). What do other people spend their money on? We don’t want a boat or a second home (unless they would magically maintain themselves without headaches)
Do we find one cause or charity or political movement? Am I delusional in thinking that even though we have too much, we should hold onto it all because we may need it in our old age? My spouse’s parents were in their 90s when they passed away and my mother is 79.
We live very modestly, which is fine; that’s our nature. What should we do?
Happily Married
Financial security shouldn’t change who you are. Even though you’ve got 11 million reasons to feel smug as well as secure, I like that you’re not into showboating your wealth or acquiring a lifestyle to which you would both like to become accustomed.
You’re the same people with $11 as you are with $11 million, except you have more choices now, including whether to work or not and whether or not to reward your children with enough money so they never have to work. Housing and education will be their biggest expenses.
There’s something freeing and life-affirming about a person who doesn’t feel compelled to share every vacation and dinner plate on social media, who doesn’t need the clicks and likes in order to get up in the morning and feel great about their life and the day ahead.
In 2025, you can give any third parties up to $19,000 each in a single tax year without having to give a taxable gift ($38,000 for spouses). Wealthy families can gift money freely without any major tax consequences: The lifetime gift/estate tax exemption is currently $13.99 million.