Much has been written about the unprecedented transfer of wealth that will soon gain momentum as a generation of baby boomers passes along a lifetime of upward mobility to its children and grandchildren. While the financial turmoil of the last few months has trimmed many nest eggs, it still promises to be quite a haul for the Gen-Xers and Millennials.

But we baby boomers have another precious holding in our portfolios, one that hasn't lost any of its value as the ...