Estate taxes

Claiming Social Security early might seem counterintuitive for the ultrawealthy, but one advisor says that when the benefits are used to fund life insurance in an irrevocable trust, the strategy could pay off for heirs.

Many retirement savers will have no trouble choosing between an IRA or a trust. But experts say there are some important factors that add complication to the decision.

A technicality in the federal law enacted in July 2025 changed how deductions work for estates and trusts, creating uncertainty over how taxes are allocated after a person's death.

Even if they must refer wealth families to a tax professional for a generation-skipping or dynasty trust, financial advisors can play a valuable role.

A Wells Fargo executive is using her own cancer diagnosis as a wake-up call and teaching case for financial advisors and their clients' estate plans.

Financial advisors and their clients have a range of options to consider for traditional IRA holdings — but also a finite deadline.

The music superstar and Kansas City Chiefs football player together would have a vast fortune and are likely to need expert tax and financial planning advice.

Experts say there are many reasons some beneficiaries reject assets and big problems if they fail to do so correctly. Here's a guide to avoiding them.

The sprawling new tax law includes a number of provisions that present opportunities for accountants and tax professionals to discuss estate and gift planning.

What was once largely a source of referrals for outside professionals is moving in-house for financial advisors in many cases. Here are some examples.

A client who passes the assets to an older generation could get them back or have them transferred to children at a step-up in basis with an "upstream" gift.

Republicans will be planning a victory lap and Democrats will be thinking about their election strategy. But financial advisors and tax pros will be preparing their clients.

While the advantages to the parents often receive the most attention, a summer job could pay literal dividends to the children, experts say.

Wealth.com has built a client roster of more than 1,000 wealth management firms and several big-name backers. Now it's launching a yearly industry event.

Senate Republican Leader John Thune has been a vocal critic of the 40% estate tax paid by the wealthiest U.S. individuals when they die.

Financial advisors have the opportunity to spur important discussions and bring peace of mind to the uncertainty around the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, an expert said.

Financial advisors and their clients will need to prepare for many possible outcomes by focusing on the key themes around these eight TCJA policy issues.

President Trump and his Republican allies in Congress aim to extend the expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. But they'll need to fill in a lot of details first.

For wealthy and ultrahigh net worth clients, the advantages often prove very attractive. But the policies carry some sophisticated planning challenges and a high cost.

The tax advantages and a degree of flexibility have added to the appeal of spousal lifetime access trusts. But they aren't a fit for everyone.