Working Together Across Generations for Radical Wealth Redistribution

Good Ancestor Movement are excited to be joined by Susanna and Annie Penfield to explore the joys, challenges and potential of intergenerational collaboration towards wealth redistribution. 

Over the coming decades, we will witness an unprecedented intergenerational wealth transfer, with the ‘Baby Boomer’ generation leaving money to their children and others. This has come to be known as ‘The Great Wealth Transfer,’ and will significantly entrench already stark class and wealth inequality in the U.K. and beyond.  

The urgency of intervening in inequality and directing funds to those working for deep, systemic change is clear. Those of us who plan to pass wealth on, and those of us who stand to inherit it, have a role to play in what our collective future looks like, but our perspectives can differ. Between generations we can have different experiences of the world we inhabit and different understandings of how change happens. 

Our intentions towards redistribution or progressive wealth stewardship can become clouded by relational dynamics. Those of us who are parents or elders might feel torn between directing excess money towards building a better world, and building a safety net for children or others close to us. Those of us who stand to inherit might face a similar dilemma, or, we might wish our parents or elders could be bolder with their money amidst the urgency of the intersecting crises we face. 

This session, held by the Good Ancestor Movement is an opportunity to be in dialogue across generations, increase understanding and connect to the possibility of making radical change together. We will be joined by guest speakers Susanna Penfield and her mother Annie Penfield, who will share their experience of navigating family money, redistribution and ‘busting the trust’. This will be followed by a facilitated space for reflection and dialogue, and we’ll finish with some practical ideas for action. 

We recognise that talking about money, and the family dynamics that can accompany it, can feel challenging and vulnerable. Although this is an interactive session, sharing is optional. The whole group discussion will be facilitated, with the option to contribute via the chat as well as live. If we go into breakouts, there will be a ‘quiet room’ option without discussion, where you can spend time reflecting or journaling. 

This event is open to all, but is specifically aimed at the following groups:

• Wealth holders who plan to pass on wealth to their children or others, or have done so already 
• Those who have recently inherited wealth or expect to in the future