Alvin Hall's Generations Of Money

It's estimated the so-called 'baby boomer' generation, born in the twenty years after the Second World War, have amassed half of all the UK's housing wealth worth over 3 trillion pounds. The generation who grew up being told they had 'never had it so good' stand accused of making sure their children won't be able to say the same for themselves. Today's young families face a vastly different economic outlook to that which faced their parents. Although the under 40s account for half the population, estimates are that they own only 15% of the UK's total financial assets. Financial guru Alvin Hall offers his unique brand of advice on what people need to do for themselves and their families in this more challenging economic context.

Over the series, Alvin Hall will meet people from different generations, from young couples through to the over 75s. He'll explore the varying financial pressures placed on different age groups and reveal how each generation is linked to the other. From the baby-boomer father determined to help his children clear their student debts even at the expense of his own retirement, to the young couple who can't afford to buy a home because the inheritance they expected hasn't materialized - Alvin Hall exposes how generational loyalties can get in the way of financial common sense.

The series will explore the economic themes that will dominate the agenda in the coming years. How prepared are today's younger workers for the effects of a burgeoning ageing population on the economy and welfare system? How realistic are they about the prospects for their own retirement? What role will families have to play in this changing environment for personal finance? Alvin Hall helps four different generations plan for an uncertain future in this new series.

Financial guru Alvin Hall helps four different generations plan for an uncertain future.

Financial guru Alvin Hall helps four different generations plan for an uncertain future

It's estimated the so-called 'baby boomer' generation, born in the twenty years after the Second World War, have amassed half of all the UK's housing wealth worth over 3 trillion pounds. The generation who grew up being told they had 'never had it so good' stand accused of making sure their children won't be able to say the same for themselves. Today's young families face a vastly different economic outlook to that which faced their parents. Although the under 40s account for half the population, estimates are that they own only 15% of the UK's total financial assets. Financial guru Alvin Hall offers his unique brand of advice on what people need to do for themselves and their families in this more challenging economic context.

Over the series, Alvin Hall will meet people from different generations, from young couples through to the over 75s. He'll explore the varying financial pressures placed on different age groups and reveal how each generation is linked to the other. From the baby-boomer father determined to help his children clear their student debts even at the expense of his own retirement, to the young couple who can't afford to buy a home because the inheritance they expected hasn't materialized - Alvin Hall exposes how generational loyalties can get in the way of financial common sense.

The series will explore the economic themes that will dominate the agenda in the coming years. How prepared are today's younger workers for the effects of a burgeoning ageing population on the economy and welfare system? How realistic are they about the prospects for their own retirement? What role will families have to play in this changing environment for personal finance? Alvin Hall helps four different generations plan for an uncertain future in this new series.

Financial guru Alvin Hall helps four different generations plan for an uncertain future.

Financial guru Alvin Hall helps four different generations plan for an uncertain future

In the second part of this series on inter-generational finance, Alvin Hall meets two twenty-somethings and explores how different the financial challenges facing today's young people are to those that faced their parents at that age.

Alvin joins 26 year old would-be farmer, James Crow, who's struggling to come to terms with not being able to inherit the family farm. After generations of growing wheat on the farm in Cambridge, the business was no longer profitable, forcing James to reassess his future. He seeks advice from the careers advisory service, Next Step.

Alvin then meets 24 year old football fan, Daniel Robinson, whose love of the game means he spends everything he earns on match tickets and merchandise. Daniel tells Alvin of his dream to emigrate to Australia. But his lack of qualifications and skills means he has a long way to go to achieve his goal.

While some observers, like Universities and Science Minister, Conservative MP David Willetts argue that young people will have to shoulder a heavy burden in supporting an ageing population into retirement, Alvin asks whether some young people aren't too reliant on their parents.

Financial guru Alvin Hall explores the financial pressures facing young people.

Financial guru Alvin Hall helps four different generations plan for an uncertain future

In the second part of this series on inter-generational finance, Alvin Hall meets two twenty-somethings and explores how different the financial challenges facing today's young people are to those that faced their parents at that age.

Alvin joins 26 year old would-be farmer, James Crow, who's struggling to come to terms with not being able to inherit the family farm. After generations of growing wheat on the farm in Cambridge, the business was no longer profitable, forcing James to reassess his future. He seeks advice from the careers advisory service, Next Step.

Alvin then meets 24 year old football fan, Daniel Robinson, whose love of the game means he spends everything he earns on match tickets and merchandise. Daniel tells Alvin of his dream to emigrate to Australia. But his lack of qualifications and skills means he has a long way to go to achieve his goal.

While some observers, like Universities and Science Minister, Conservative MP David Willetts argue that young people will have to shoulder a heavy burden in supporting an ageing population into retirement, Alvin asks whether some young people aren't too reliant on their parents.

Financial guru Alvin Hall explores the financial pressures facing young people.

Financial guru Alvin Hall helps four different generations plan for an uncertain future

In this third part of this series on inter-generational finance, Alvin Hall meets Britain's young families and asks what the future holds for their money.

It's estimated that over half of the UK's housing wealth is owned by the post-war generation of people born in the twenty years after the end of the Second World War. Only around ten per cent of it is owned by people under the age of 40. High house prices have meant families are having to wait until much later in life to get a foot on the property ladder.

Alvin Hall meets Jennie Lichfield, a single mother of two from Ashford in Kent who's desperate to buy her own place. Jennie feels resentful of the grip that local baby-boomer buy-to-let landlords have on the property market. She finds out why the credit crunch has made it harder than ever for people in her situation to take out a mortgage.

Alvin also meets psychiatric nurse, Oliver Wyatt from Leeds who gave up his NHS pension for an ill-fated investment in property. Oliver's confronted with the benefits he's missed out on and receives advice on how to save for retirement at a later age. But the programme also asks whether such public sector pensions are sustainable in the future.

Financial guru Alvin Hall explores the financial pressures facing young people.

Financial guru Alvin Hall helps four different generations plan for an uncertain future

In this third part of this series on inter-generational finance, Alvin Hall meets Britain's young families and asks what the future holds for their money.

It's estimated that over half of the UK's housing wealth is owned by the post-war generation of people born in the twenty years after the end of the Second World War. Only around ten per cent of it is owned by people under the age of 40. High house prices have meant families are having to wait until much later in life to get a foot on the property ladder.

Alvin Hall meets Jennie Lichfield, a single mother of two from Ashford in Kent who's desperate to buy her own place. Jennie feels resentful of the grip that local baby-boomer buy-to-let landlords have on the property market. She finds out why the credit crunch has made it harder than ever for people in her situation to take out a mortgage.

Alvin also meets psychiatric nurse, Oliver Wyatt from Leeds who gave up his NHS pension for an ill-fated investment in property. Oliver's confronted with the benefits he's missed out on and receives advice on how to save for retirement at a later age. But the programme also asks whether such public sector pensions are sustainable in the future.

Financial guru Alvin Hall explores the financial pressures facing young people.

Financial guru Alvin Hall helps four different generations plan for an uncertain future

In the final part of this series on inter-generational finance, Alvin Hall meets pensioners from different parts of the country to find out what retirement means for those without savings.

In Bristol, he meets Valerie Shellard, who worked as a tailor until the age of 72 and has lived in the same house for over 50 years. He hears how, before the intervention of the local council, she had to manage for months without a bath or a shower. Alvin assesses the benefit to the state of older people maintaining their independence at home rather than going into care.

Alvin then travels to Cambridgeshire where he meets racing car enthusiast, Peggy, whose ill-health is forcing her into sheltered accommodation. He finds out how she's lost out financially, without the support of family. A local charity explains how some older people are vulnerable to exploitation as many lack close contact with relatives.

And, looking back over the series, Alvin asks whether the credit crisis has really only served to expose pre-existing challenges facing an ageing population. Will the baby-boomers, holding so much wealth and political influence, defend their own interests or can they be encouraged to take the longer view?

Alvin Hall meets two pensioners with cautionary tales for an ageing population.

Financial guru Alvin Hall helps four different generations plan for an uncertain future

In the final part of this series on inter-generational finance, Alvin Hall meets pensioners from different parts of the country to find out what retirement means for those without savings.

In Bristol, he meets Valerie Shellard, who worked as a tailor until the age of 72 and has lived in the same house for over 50 years. He hears how, before the intervention of the local council, she had to manage for months without a bath or a shower. Alvin assesses the benefit to the state of older people maintaining their independence at home rather than going into care.

Alvin then travels to Cambridgeshire where he meets racing car enthusiast, Peggy, whose ill-health is forcing her into sheltered accommodation. He finds out how she's lost out financially, without the support of family. A local charity explains how some older people are vulnerable to exploitation as many lack close contact with relatives.

And, looking back over the series, Alvin asks whether the credit crisis has really only served to expose pre-existing challenges facing an ageing population. Will the baby-boomers, holding so much wealth and political influence, defend their own interests or can they be encouraged to take the longer view?

Alvin Hall meets two pensioners with cautionary tales for an ageing population.

Financial guru Alvin Hall helps four different generations plan for an uncertain future