By Michael Meyer

Special to the Financial Independence Hub

What is your most valuable asset?

If you are like most Canadians, you may answer your investment portfolio or your home. What if I said it was your time?

If you can imagine your life as a timeline, consider three milestones that are up ahead:

1.) Your healthy life expectancy

2.) Your estimated life expectancy

3.) Your 100th birthday

With diet and exercise, you are able to push out the first two, and give yourself a healthier and longer life.  In the near future, it is possible that with medical advances both one and two may exceed your 100th birthday.  These adjustments are already being considered for pension portfolios.

Now what if I said each of those future years on your timeline are not of equal value?

How should you compare your 40s to your 60s? How do you value those years differently, and how do you weigh your spending in each year for an optimal result?

Next, I want you to think about a stacked timeline, with a separate line for each of your family members.

Certain years are more pivotal than others

You will quickly see that certain years are more pivotal than others. The years your children leave the nest, or the years after the first partner hits retirement.  What about when your parents need help, and your role shifts and becomes that of the caretaker? Predicting health outcomes is a science, and a probability can be assigned to each year of your future. It is helpful for planning purposes to be aware of these milestones, and also to understand how you differ from the average person. Continue Reading…