Close Close
Sign In
Newsletters
Popular Financial Topics Discover relevant content from across the suite of ALM legal publications From the Industry More content from ThinkAdvisor and select sponsors Investment Advisor Issue Gallery Read digital editions of Investment Advisor Magazine Tax Facts Get clear, current, and reliable answers to pressing tax questions
Luminaries Awards
Podcast Center Video Center Webcasts Resource Center Events
About ThinkAdvisor Contact Us Advertise With Us Asset & Logo Licensing Sitemap Terms of Service Privacy Policy Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
ThinkAdvisor

Financial Planning > Trusts and Estates > Estate Planning

Beneficial Estate Planning Climate

By Michael K. Stanley

X
Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

American General Life Companies (American General) are poised to help clients, prospective clients and their advisors capitalize on the unique estate planning environment that we currently and transiently find ourselves in.

The uncommon estate planning atmosphere of the moment is derived from a confluence of various circumstances.

The federal gift tax exemption is the highest that it has ever been at $5,120,000. At the same time, the top gift tax rate, on amounts above the exemption, is the lowest it has been since 1931: it currently sits at 35%. However, in 2013 (without congressional action) the exemption will drop to $1,000,000 and the top tax rate will rise to 55%.

Gifting is often considered as a savvy aspect of estate planning because the gift and the growth on the gifted assets is outside of the donor’s estate at the time taxes must be paid. This results in more money going to one’s heirs and less being paid in the form of taxes, to the government.

American General has developed a new suite of tools that have been designed to help clients take advantage of the current estate planning opportunities. The tools include a web-based 2012 gifting brochure; an online playbook and a white paper, all tailored to assist high-net-worth individuals and families about the opportunities available this year.

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.