Julia VachonWilliam Shatner is 95 years old, still recording a heavy metal album, and heading to Calgary Expo on April 23, 2026 — and for many Canadians, his refusal to slow down is both inspiring and a prompt to ask: is your estate plan ready for a life this long?
The Montreal-born actor, best known as Captain Kirk from Star Trek, announced earlier this year that he is releasing a heavy metal album featuring 35 guest musicians including Zakk Wylde and Henry Rollins. His Calgary Expo appearance marks a return to the city he last visited in 2022. At an age when most Canadians have been retired for 30 years, Shatner is still signing contracts, collecting fees, and building a legacy — which raises a critical financial question: what happens to the value of a career like his when its owner is no longer around to manage it?
Why Canadians Aren't Ready for Their Own Legacy
The numbers are uncomfortable. According to the National Institute on Ageing and RBC Royal Trust, only 48% of Canadians have a will. Among Canadians aged 55 and older, that figure rises to 74% — but only 53% have appointed a Power of Attorney. That leaves millions of Canadians with plans in place for death, but no plan for the years before it.
Statistics Canada data published in 2026 shows that the average retirement age in Canada is now 65.1 years — nearly 3.5 years later than it was in 2002. Canadians are working longer, living longer, and accumulating more over their lifetimes. That means the financial and legal complexity of winding down a life has grown considerably. Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy; it's for anyone who owns a car, rents an apartment, holds a pension, or has a child.
And yet the National Institute on Ageing found that 57% of families cite emotional or relational barriers — not financial ones — as their primary obstacle to getting a plan in place. People don't want to think about death. They especially don't want to argue about money with their siblings.
The Real Cost of Inaction
Estate planning delays don't just create emotional friction — they create financial losses. Without a valid will, the Province of Ontario (or whichever province you reside in) decides how your assets are distributed under intestacy laws. These default rules rarely reflect an individual's actual wishes. An unmarried partner of 15 years may receive nothing. A child from a previous relationship may receive everything. A pet — beloved or not — has no standing in law at all.
More practically, without a Power of Attorney for property and personal care, a family member may need to apply to court for guardianship if you become incapacitated. In Ontario, that process can cost $5,000 to $15,000 in legal fees and take months — while your financial affairs sit frozen.
In 2026, Canadians between the ages of 65 and 74 receive a maximum Old Age Security payment of $743.05 per month, with CPP adding up to $1,507.65. For many retirees, managing these income streams alongside investments, real estate, and digital assets requires not just a will, but a full estate strategy.
What "Working to 95" Really Means for Your Plan
Shatner's situation illustrates something many estate planners see regularly: the longer someone works, the more complex their estate becomes. Royalties, intellectual property, ongoing contracts, digital assets, social media accounts with commercial value — these aren't issues your grandmother's estate lawyer prepared for.
Canadian copyright law extends protection for the life of the creator plus 70 years. That means Shatner's voice, image, and creative works could generate income for decades after his death. Without clear instructions about who manages those rights, the result is litigation — expensive, public, and painful for everyone involved.
For the average Canadian, the equivalent might be a self-directed RRSP, a primary residence, a secondary property in cottage country, and a small business. Each of these requires a different approach within an estate plan. A wealth management advisor who specializes in estate planning can help map these assets, structure beneficiary designations correctly, and coordinate with a lawyer to produce a will that actually works.
When to Start — and Why Sooner Is Better
The good news is that estate planning, unlike other aspects of financial planning, has no minimum asset threshold. You do not need to be wealthy to benefit from a will and a Power of Attorney. What you need is a clear-eyed look at what you own, who you love, and what you want to happen.
According to Statistics Canada's 2026 analysis of retirement and post-retirement employment, the proportion of Canadians who continue working in some capacity after their official "retirement" increased significantly between 2019 and 2023. Phased retirement, freelance income, consulting work — all of these create ongoing financial obligations and rights that need to be addressed in an estate plan.
The ideal time to start is before you need it. That means while you are healthy, clear-headed, and under no immediate pressure. It means reviewing your plan every three to five years, or whenever a major life change occurs: a marriage, a divorce, the birth of a child, the purchase of property, the death of a named executor.
What a Wealth Management Advisor Can Do
A certified wealth management advisor does more than pick investments. In the context of estate planning, they can:
- Review beneficiary designations across all registered accounts (RRSP, TFSA, pension plans)
- Identify assets that pass outside of a will and ensure they are directed correctly
- Model the tax impact of different inheritance structures
- Coordinate with your lawyer to ensure financial and legal documents align
- Advise on testamentary trusts for minor children or dependants with disabilities
- Help structure charitable giving for maximum impact and tax efficiency
For Canadians with complex situations — blended families, business ownership, real estate in multiple provinces, or significant digital assets — the value of this kind of professional guidance is considerable.
The Shatner Lesson
William Shatner will take the stage in Calgary this April as living proof that human careers, creativity, and economic value don't expire on schedule. What his example should prompt is not awe at his resilience, but a practical question: if your own life extended another 20 or 30 years beyond what you expected, would your financial plan hold up?
The answer, for nearly half of Canadians, is no.
A licensed wealth management advisor can help you change that — before the question becomes urgent. Find an accredited wealth advisor near you through ExpertZoom and start the conversation your future self will thank you for.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional before making estate planning decisions.
