It is said of the Japanese, "The most money you have in your life is when you die."
There is an old story about an elderly woman who received money to celebrate turning 100 years old and was asked, "What will you spend it on? She answered, "I will save it for my retirement.
In fact, the results of various surveys show that the financial assets held increase with age.
The median value for those in their 60s is 7 million yen, but for those in their 70s, it is 8 million yen, an increase of about 1 million yen. (Life Insurance Cultural Center)
Most people in their 70s are probably already retired and living on a pension. It would not be surprising if they are living on their financial assets, but the number is on the contrary increasing. In fact, it is not uncommon to hear that people are putting part of their pension into savings, regardless of the amount.
We need money to survive, and we need some level of preparedness in case of unforeseen circumstances. Many Japanese people, including myself, are worrywarts. Even so, I wonder if it is a good idea to be the richest when you die.
After one's death, one might think of providing for one's remaining family, but if one's children have left the nest, one can take care of one's own life. If you have a spouse, there are social security benefits such as a survivor's pension. To take it to the extreme, it would seem that funeral expenses would be enough.
Needless to say, money cannot be taken to the afterlife.
Money is not there to accumulate, but to enrich our lives. If that is the case, it would be better to spend it meaningfully while we are alive and well, and to use it up when we die.
