💸 £5.5 trillion is about to walk out the door.
That’s the estimated value of assets traditional advice firms could lose over the next decade as wealth transfers from Boomers to Zillennials.
“The future doesn’t belong to those who manage wealth—it belongs to those who know how to grow it, use it, and share it with intention.”
For decades, the financial services industry has relied on a model built around delegation—where Boomers, with sufficient investable assets, comfortably handed over decision-making to regulated intermediaries. But the system they upheld, one of deference and dependency, is nearing its expiry date.
A seismic shift is underway.
Zillennials Don’t Want Delegation—They Want Empowerment
Millennials and Gen Z—dubbed ‘Zillennials’—now represent the future custodians of wealth, yet they are grossly underserved by the regulated advice market. Having been locked out by high asset thresholds, they’ve had to DIY their financial lives, leveraging digital tools, communities, and education. They don’t want product pushers. They want trusted frameworks that help them stay in control.
They’ve grown up in an era of financial turbulence and digital fluency. They are far more likely to question authority, demand transparency, and value independence. And the data proves it:
🔹 According to HSBC Life UK’s new Three I’s of Investable Capital 2025 report, 80% of advised clients now prioritise intergenerational planning—up from 75% in 2022.
🔹 £5.5 trillion is set to transfer from Boomers to Zillennials over the next decade, posing both an opportunity and a threat to advice firms.
🔹 Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning is seeing surging demand, driven by rising receipts (£8.2bn in 2024–25 alone) and frozen thresholds until 2030.
Despite this urgency, only 47% of clients have actionable IHT solutions in place. Advisers may be discussing the issues, but Zillennials aren’t acting—yet.
Why? Because many don’t trust the messenger.
Structural Independence is the Trust Dividend
This is where traditional advice firms face an existential threat. Their product-aligned, commission-incentivised models may serve today’s retirees but fall flat for tomorrow’s wealth holders.
Trust in the system is conditional on independence. Without a structural shift—toward permanently non-intermediating frameworks that place empowerment over extraction—advice firms risk irrelevance. The next generation isn’t buying what they’re selling.
In contrast, structurally independent, education-first approaches resonate. They don’t rely on asset thresholds. They build human capital. They empower people to plan their own lives—financially, emotionally, and ethically.
The Delegator Model is Dying. What Comes Next is Better.
We’re not just witnessing a demographic change—we’re seeing a transformation in values.
Boomers delegated. Zillennials collaborate.
Boomers sought safety. Zillennials seek meaning.
Boomers trusted institutions. Zillennials build systems of self-agency.
The wealth transfer isn’t just about money. It’s a transfer of power—from the old guard of financial services to the emerging movement of life-centred, transparent, and ethically grounded planning.
And those who adapt to this new reality won’t just survive.
They’ll lead it.
🧭 Rebuilding Trust: A Structurally Independent Framework for Financial Planning
This article advocates for a paradigm shift in financial planning, emphasising the integration of human capital—skills, values, and purpose—into the planning process. It outlines a five-pillar model promoting structural independence, transparency, and client empowerment, moving away from product-driven models towards systems that prioritize individual well-being and autonomy.
🔒 Structural Permanence: The Missing Piece in Trusted Financial Advice
Addressing the fragility of adviser-centric models, this piece introduces ‘Structural Permanence’ as a solution to ensure continuity and trust in client relationships beyond individual advisers. It recommends implementing continuity systems, cultural embedding, and trust transfer protocols to create a resilient, client-focused planning practice that endures over time.
🏛️ Reimagining Financial Planning: Inside the AoLP Governance Charter
This article details the Academy of Life Planning’s transition into a member-owned cooperative, formalised through a new Governance Charter. The Charter establishes a democratic, transparent framework that separates generic advice from regulated services, aiming to build a trustworthy, structurally independent profession committed to ethical, holistic financial planning.
🤖 Reclaiming Purpose in the Age of AI: The GAME Plan at the Crossroads of Humanity
In the face of AI-induced job displacement, this article presents the GAME Plan as a blueprint for personal and economic reinvention. It guides individuals to identify their goals, actions, means, and execution strategies, focusing on human capital development and ethical financial planning to foster purpose and resilience in an evolving economic landscape.
These summaries reinforce the central themes of our article, highlighting the necessity for structurally independent, client-empowering frameworks in financial planning to meet the evolving needs of younger generations.
🌟 Transform Your Financial Planning Practice with the GAME Plan Practitioner Training Programme
Are you a regulated financial planner aiming to evolve into a holistic wealth planner? The Academy of Life Planning’s GAME Plan Practitioner Training Programme offers a comprehensive pathway to expand your services beyond traditional financial advice.
What You’ll Gain:
- Holistic Framework: Master the GAME Plan—Goals, Actions, Means, Execution—to guide clients towards financial clarity and life fulfilment.
- Comprehensive Training: Engage in 12 structured modules over 12 weeks, encompassing over 40 hours of expert-led video content, practical exercises, and knowledge assessments.
- Professional Accreditation: Earn certification as a GAME Plan Practitioner, demonstrating your commitment to client-centred, holistic financial planning.
- Exclusive Tools & Support: Access HapNav and MoneyFitt tools, along with unlimited mentor support, to enhance your practice.
- Flexible Learning: Complete the programme at your own pace within 12 months, accommodating your professional schedule.
Why Transition?
With an estimated £5.5 trillion in assets poised to transfer from baby boomers to younger generations over the next decade, the demand for holistic, purpose-driven financial planning is surging. Position yourself at the forefront of this shift by integrating life coaching, human capital development, and ethical guidance into your practice.
Join a Community of Forward-Thinking Planners
By enrolling, you become part of a network dedicated to ethical, transparent, and impactful financial planning. Benefit from continuous professional development, peer support, and resources designed to future-proof your career.
Ready to Elevate Your Practice?
Embark on your journey to becoming a holistic wealth planner today.
👉 Enrol in the GAME Plan Practitioner Training Programme
Your Money or Your Life
Unmask the highway robbers – Enjoy wealth in every area of your life!
By Steve Conley. Available on Amazon. Visit www.steve.conley.co.uk to find out more.
Academy of Life Planning 