6 Meaningful Ways to Leave a Financial Legacy to Your Heirs Here are some of the best ways to ensure your family is taken care of. This story originally appeared on NewRetirement. When approaching retirement, it’s common for people to start thinking about legacy planning: how they’ll be remembered and what they’ll leave behind. In most cases, leaving a legacy for children, grandchildren, or charities — and other causes people are passionate about — takes careful planning and the advice of a financial planner. Read on for several ways to leave a lasting and meaningful financial legacy after retirement and beyond.