Spotting the Signs of Financial Elder Abuse
Mar 05, 2026
As an advisor, you’re uniquely positioned to spot this suspicious behavior early on and help to stop it. Keep an eye out for these subtle signs of elder financial abuse.
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As an advisor, you’re uniquely positioned to spot this suspicious behavior early on and help to stop it. Keep an eye out for these subtle signs of elder financial abuse.
Gray divorce is defined as a divorce or separation that occurs later in life, typically at age 50 or beyond. Studies have shown that divorce rates for those aged 65 and older have tripled since 1990. This phenomenon often involves financial challenges far greater than those in earlier-life divorces. In general, there are often more […]
What would you do if you could free up $600,000 a year and unlock $5 million in hidden value without selling a single traditional asset? That was the question facing a family office managing the estate of an 85-year-old patriarch who had spent a lifetime building a family legacy.
Life Insurance is an Asset A life insurance policy is an asset that has the same legal rights as other assets - including appraising and selling. Similar to real estate, value is driven by competition between interested parties. Life insurance is typically purchased to cover a specific need or when a significant life event occurs, […]
Financial advisors must consider longevity in comprehensive planning. The first baby boomers turn 79 in 2025 (and the youngest will be 61 this year). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 10,000 Americans are turning 65 every day (between now and 2030). By 2050, older adults will represent more than 20% of the population.
In a nutshell, your client can have some serious health issues that disqualify them for new insurance but still have a relatively long life and therefore not qualify for a life settlement. It's because insurance carriers are underwriting different risk factors at policy issue compared to institutional buyers who purchase existing life insurance policies.
Likely, you discuss real estate, trusts, businesses, retirement funds, and other equities with your clients at length. But what about their life insurance policy? But what about their life insurance policy? Life insurance policies are assets, but not everyone thinks of it that way. This is why seniors leave such huge amounts of money on the table through lapsed or surrendered life insurance policies.
Michael contacted Ashar Group, a reputable firm specializing in appraising life insurance assets and facilitating life settlements. With Michael's guidance and Ashar Group's expertise, June embarked on a journey to maximize the value of her policy. Together, they compiled compelling information to present through the policy auction, where multiple buyers would compete for the opportunity to purchase her policy. Just like in a real estate bidding war, this competitive environment drove up the value of June's policy.
With retirement evolving significantly in recent decades, longevity has become a critical element of financial planning. With people living longer, continued inflation, and rising healthcare costs, outliving one’s retirement plan is a real concern. This is why addressing health, longevity, and long-term care must be an integral part of every retirement planning session with senior clients. Here are some ways to initiate these important conversations.
The aftermath of COVID-19, the rise of AI tools, and new regulations are transforming how consumers engage with life insurance. Many of the largest wealth management and investment firms now offer independent consultative platforms for financial advisors and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) to partner with firms that specialize in services outside their wheelhouse—like longevity analysis and valuation of life insurance assets. It can be a valuable tool for planning firms aiming to thrive by providing comprehensive solutions. Whether preventing financial disaster or optimizing asset allocation for high-net-worth families, the life settlement market can be crucial in comprehensive financial planning and business growth.