What Legacy Do I Want to Pass On to my Children

I’m now at a stage in life where I find myself thinking more about what comes next.

That thought comes to me more often these days, especially as I watch my children, now in their 20s, step into lives of their own. They’ve completed their university education in the US and are now beginning their careers. I feel a deep sense of pride, and at the same time, a growing awareness that I’ve entered a new phase as a parent.

Fifteen years ago, my concerns were very different. Back then, I was focused on whether I had enough to give them the education they wanted. I knew early on that they wanted to study abroad, so I worked towards that. It took planning, discipline and sacrifice, but that phase is now behind us. I prepared for it, and I fulfilled it.

Now, I’m asking myself different questions.

For the past 50 years, I've work hard. Now, I wonder: do I finally start doing more for myself, travel more, spend more, live more for myself? Or do I continue planning for my children’s future?

And if I’m being honest, will I ever really stop trying to protect them and give them the best?

As they enter adulthood, I know my role has changed. I’m no longer making decisions for them, but I still feel responsible for how prepared they are, not just for opportunities, but for life.

One thing I think about often is whether they truly understand how to manage money.

That matters more to me than how much I leave behind. I’ve started introducing them to investment accounts and even connecting them with financial professionals I trust. For me, this is part of what I want to pass on. Not just wealth, but knowledge. Because if I leave money alone, and it is not managed well, it can be gone in a few years. True legacy is giving them the tools and confidence to build their own future, not just passing an inheritance.

At the same time, I can’t ignore the realities they will face.

The cost of living is ever on the rise. I am wondering how they will be able to afford the life they want. But I also know they will work, earn, and find their own way, just as I did. My thinking around this has changed over time.

There was a point where I felt I needed to provide as much as possible, just to make sure they would be okay. But now, I see things differently. They need to build their own lives too. And I also need to think about how I want to live mine.

And then, there’s another thought that has crept in, one I didn’t expect. My future grandchildren.

I find myself wondering how I can protect what I’ve built not just for my children, but across generations. How do I want to be remembered, not just by them, but by the next generation after?

 Legacy planning isn’t always easy to talk about. It’s more than just numbers; it’s about the values we hope to pass on and the kind of future we want for our families. Sometimes, these conversations feel complicated or even a little uncomfortable. But having a clear plan makes all the difference.

As a father, what matters most to me is their happiness, that they find someone they can build a life with, that they feel fulfilled in what they do.

At the same time, I can’t help but think about whether they might one day make decisions that put them at risk, financially or otherwise. These are not major fears, but they are always there in the background.

Which is why, for me, legacy cannot just be about money. It has to be about structure, discipline, and intention.

Over time, I’ve come to see it in three parts: continuing to build wealth, setting aside enough for my own needs, and then thinking carefully about how that wealth is eventually passed on.

There is also a more practical side to this that I’ve had to confront.

For me, planning ahead is not just about wealth. It’s about clarity. It’s about making things easier for the people I care about most. And maybe that’s what legacy really means to me now. Not just what I leave behind but how prepared they are to carry it forward.

And perhaps that’s why I’ve come to appreciate solutions like Prudential’s Legacy Settlement Option (LSO), which allow me to structure how support is passed on in a way that feels considered and not left to chance. Because life is never a straight path, and if what I leave behind can help my children feel more secure in their own journey, then I know I’ve done my part.