Education | Jun 04, 2026
Health, Wealth, and the Unexpected
David B. Root, Jr.CFP®
CFP®
Life expectancy in the U.S. is at an all-time high. As people invest more in their health and longevity, wealth management must evolve alongside it. “It’s not just thinking about the moment… it’s looking down the road, maybe a decade or more and asking, ‘What does this mean when you’re 75, 80, or beyond?’” We sat down with Founder and CEO David B. Root to talk about how today’s savings measure up to tomorrow’s uncertainties.
A Personal Story in Planning Ahead
David’s father joined the firm two years after its founding and quickly developed a passion for long-term care insurance. “He just felt like it made so much sense.”
Long-term care insurance covers certain expenses that are not covered by traditional healthcare, disability insurance, or Medicare. David’s father was recommending this to his clients for years, before adopting a policy of his own - at his son’s request.
“I said, ‘Dad, I realize the work you’re doing with your clients. Are you doing the same work with yourself?'” Health and wealth are inextricably linked. Planning a secure retirement often means looking ahead and bracing for the unexpected.
David and his siblings purchased long-term care insurance for their parents. Within three years of retiring, both of them were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. “It would have meant about a million dollar difference in terms of what was actually paid for care and what they could have afforded,” says David.
Even experts need a safety net. “If you outlive normal life expectancy, you could be incurring expenses that are enormous… you’ve got to have other solutions in place to make that happen.” A resilient retirement plan should:
- Account for longer life expectancy and unexpected health needs
- Include insurance or alternative solutions
- Safeguard independence and quality of life
Every plan starts with understanding your life, your goals, and your vision for the future. That understanding transforms it into a roadmap for confidence and independence.
This material has been provided for general, informational purposes only, represents only a summary of the topics discussed, and is not suitable for everyone. The information contained herein should not be construed as personalized investment advice or recommendations. Rather, they simply reflect the opinions and views of the author. D. B. Root & Company, LLC. does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. Before making decisions with legal, tax, or accounting ramifications, you should consult appropriate professionals for advice that is specific to your situation. There can be no assurance that any particular strategy or investment will prove profitable. This document contains information derived from third party sources. Although we believe these third-party sources to be reliable, we make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information derived from such sources, and take no responsibility therefore. This document contains certain forward-looking statements signaled by words such as "anticipate," "expect", or "believe" that indicate future possibilities. Due to known and unknown risks, other uncertainties and factors, actual results may differ materially from the expectations portrayed in such forward-looking statements. As such, there is no guarantee that the expectations, beliefs, views and opinions expressed in this document will come to pass. Information presented herein is subject to change without notice and should not be considered as a solicitation to buy or sell any security. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure or guarantee better performance and cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses.
David B. Root, Jr.
CFP®