Challenging Outdated Portrayals of Retirement
Challenging outdated portrayals of retirement
If, like most, your view of retirement living was that of staying in your own home until such a point you needed support, then moving to some form of assisted living or perhaps some retirement village where there were orange emergency pull cords in the bathroom, a warden on site and a community lounge, before finally having to move into a care home where you are waiting to pop your clogs, then you’ve a lot to learn.
Recently, M&G launched its campaign to “change the conversation” around later life by challenging these outdated portrayals of retirement, and Riverstone has been leading the charge on its approach to retirement living.
M&G managing director of individual life, Anusha Mittal, said: “The way later life is currently being portrayed is not realistic, aspirational or reflective of how people are now living… and how people are enjoying their later years is currently misrepresented”.
Riverstone’s approach is so far removed from the typical outdated stereotype it’s hard to imagine without experiencing it for yourself. Riverstone believes advisors can play a big part in positively framing this chapter of life and enabling clients to live a more fulfilling retirement, just with a little bit of extra knowledge.
M&G found 72 per cent of customers believe retirement needs to be portrayed in a more accessible way, which is hardly surprising as the UK’s character is to avoid talking about prickly subjects like death (and one’s journey towards it).
So, imagine explaining to a client how you could help them avoid ever having to move into a care home. Or that they would not have to play bingo in a community lounge with some random people. Instead, they could go on organised trips to private gallery events, or to the theatre with like-minded residents. In fact, their lifestyle could be enhanced and their wellbeing improved by being better informed of the options available to them.
Imagine if the person who provided that golden key was you. You not only helped them financially but also enabled them to see the opportunities of a significantly different retirement than they thought possible.
Isn’t it time to know a lot more about retirement living?
Riverstone is leading the way in educating advisers on this subject and supporting better client conversations. As awareness grows, so will better retirement outcomes.
