Milestones in life differ from client to client. While some have goals aligned with marriage and children, others aspire differently. You might find yourself serving clients who are not planning for what are considered traditional or linear milestones in life.
Rachael Wong Wing Suet, CFP, a five-year MDRT member, provides services to a diverse group of younger clients who have made a deliberate choice not to pursue marriage or are married but don’t want to be parents, often known as dual-income-no-kids couples. They’re mainly young professionals between their late 20s and 40s and are focused on maximizing their dual incomes, so their financial concerns are quite different from the typical household.
“Instead of focusing on estate planning, wealth transfer to children or saving for their kids’ education, these couples are more interested in enjoying life experiences and achieving personal goals,” she said. “They may not prioritize buying a home and often prefer renting. Their goals are more about fulfilling their personal wish lists, such as traveling, achieving unique experiences or dedicating time to meaningful causes. Their needs are less about legacy and more about maximizing enjoyment and fulfillment during their healthiest and most active years.”
Meeting their needs
To help them identify and clarify their personal goals, Wong uses techniques that help her understand what they want out of life, such as discussing their bucket list to uncover what truly excites them and the experiences they want to pursue. She asks what they want to experience in life that would make their lives exciting and create lasting memories. Some may want to witness Africa’s Great Migration of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles. Others may dream of piloting a small plane. One client expressed a desire to spend a year volunteering with Doctors Without Borders in Africa.
Once their goals are clear, she works on a step-by-step strategy with her clients to achieve these ambitions. The strategy involved identifying the required funds, planning for early cash flow and structuring their finances.
“In terms of financial planning, I advise them to focus on cash flow management and early withdrawals, so they can enjoy their wealth during their prime years. For example, setting withdrawal points at ages 35 or 45 instead of waiting until 65, and recommending financial products and strategies that are matched to their unique goals and timelines,” she said.
This is excerpted from the November/December 2025 Round the Table article “Tickets for two.” (MDRT member-exclusive content)
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