Beyond retirement: Planning for my son’s lifelong well-being
How raising a son with Down syndrome shaped my approach to financial planning — and my commitment to a future of support, opportunity and independence
By Sheila McCullough, SVP, Retirement Client Engagement
The question that has shaped my financial planning journey isn’t “When can I retire?” It’s “How can I ensure my son is supported, secure and thriving long after I’m no longer here to help him?”
Our son John has Down syndrome, and being his mom has shaped how I think about financial planning in ways I could never have imagined. For our family, planning has never been just about retirement. It’s about ensuring John will have the support, resources, opportunities and independence to live a full and meaningful life long after we’re no longer here to advocate for him.
That’s why the mission at Voya Financial and the Voya Cares program is so personal to me and my family. Families caring for loved ones with disabilities face unique financial, legal and emotional decisions. True financial planning must look beyond dollars and cents and consider the whole person, the whole family and the future they're working to build.
Financial confidence isn’t just about wealth. It’s about knowing the people you love most will be cared for, supported and able to thrive with John having the added benefit of two loving brothers, Willem and Patrick, and his favorite sister, Margaret.
