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Navigating the Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax for Avery Dennison Families

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'Thoughtful multigenerational planning can help Avery Dennison employees navigate GSTT considerations more effectively, making it an essential part of preparing families for long-term financial transitions.' -- Paul Bergeron, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'Carefully structuring multigenerational wealth transfers can help Avery Dennison employees stay aligned with GSTT rules and should be considered when discussing long-term family planning priorities.' -- Tyson Mavar, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article, we will discuss:

Key concepts behind the generation-skipping transfer tax (GSTT).
Common exemptions and exclusions that may lessen transfer tax exposure.
Planning methods that can help families pass wealth across generations.

Important Takeaways on How to Transfer Wealth Across Generations

The generation-skipping transfer tax (GSTT) is relevant for any Avery Dennison employees transferring wealth to grandchildren or other individuals that skip over your children's generation.

Both GSTT and gift or estate taxes may apply when transferring assets to heirs more than one generation below the transferor.

Exemptions may lower transfer tax liability if planning is structured thoughtfully.

Federal gift and estate taxes—applicable to transfers during life or at death—are familiar to many Avery Dennison employees. However, when assets move to people more than one generation below the transferor, such as a gift from a grandparent to a grandchild, the federal generation-skipping transfer tax (GSTT) may also apply.

Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax: What Is It?

Transfers to “skip persons,” those more than one generation below the transferor or more than 37½ years younger, are subject to the GSTT. This federal tax applies in addition to any federal gift or estate tax due and equals the highest federal gift and estate tax rate in effect—a flat rate of 40%—which is relevant for Avery Dennison employees engaging in multigenerational planning.

The GSTT was introduced in 1976 to address concerns that affluent families could shift assets in ways that bypassed estate taxes at each generational level. ¹

Lifetime Exemptions and Gift Tax Exclusions

Transfers made during life or at death to anyone other than a spouse or qualified charity may be subject to federal gift or estate tax. Key exclusions include several that may benefit Avery Dennison employees:

Annual gift tax exemption: In 2026, individuals may give up to $19,000 per recipient without incurring federal estate or gift tax. Couples may combine exclusions for a total of $38,000 per beneficiary. ² For example, a married couple with two children could give $76,000 total ($38,000 to each child) annually without gift tax.

Qualified transfers: Payments made directly to educational institutions for tuition or to medical providers for medical expenses are not considered taxable gifts. There is no dollar limit on these transfers. ¹

Lifetime unified exclusion: Individuals may transfer up to $13.99 million (or $27.98 million per married couple) during life or at death without federal gift or estate tax. ² Lifetime gifts reduce the remaining exclusion available at death.

Transfers exceeding these exclusions are taxed at the top federal estate and gift tax rate of 40%.

Exclusions & Exemptions from GSTT

The GSTT has rules similar to traditional gift tax laws, which can influence planning for Avery Dennison families:

- Grandparents may give up to $19,000 directly to a grandchild in 2026 without triggering gift tax or GSTT.
- Each individual has a $13.99 million lifetime GSTT exemption ($27.98 million per couple), though this exemption is not independent from estate or gift tax rules.
Transfers above exemption thresholds are subject to a 40% GSTT.
GSTT applies only at the federal level, although some states may impose their own estate or inheritance taxes.

When Does the GSTT Start to Apply?

The GSTT applies to three types of taxable events, all of which may arise in multigenerational planning for Avery Dennison families:

Direct skips: Transfers made directly to a skip person or to a trust for their exclusive benefit. The transferor or their estate pays the tax.

Taxable distributions: Distributions from a trust to a skip person. The beneficiary pays the tax.

Taxable terminations: Occur when a trust interest ends and only skip persons remain as beneficiaries. The trustee pays the tax.

GSTT Exemption Allocations

Transfers—outright or to a trust—may qualify for GSTT exemption as long as the exemption is properly allocated. Once allocated, all future growth on those trust assets is generally free from GSTT, a strategy Avery Dennison families may want to use.

For example, if a person contributed $10 million to an irrevocable trust for grandchildren in 2024 and allocated the GSTT exemption, and the trust later grew to $20 million, future distributions would not incur GSTT. ¹

Methods for Lowering GSTT

1. 529 Plan Contributions

Contributions to 529 college savings plans are treated as completed gifts, even though account owners can change the beneficiary. Grandparents may “superfund” a 529 plan with five years of annual exclusions at once—up to $95,000 per beneficiary in 2025 or $190,000 per beneficiary for a married couple filing jointly ³ —which may interest Avery Dennison retirees.

2. Dynasty Trusts

Dynasty trusts are irrevocable trusts designed to last across multiple generations. Some states allow long-term or perpetual trusts, while others limit trust duration under the “rule against perpetuities.” These trusts can combine GSTT planning with long-term asset preservation features and, when fully exempt from GSTT, future distributions or terminations can occur without additional GSTT ⁴ —an appealing option for extended family planning.

Concluding Remarks

Although GSTT planning can be complex, exemptions and structured transfers may help Avery Dennison employees reduce or eliminate federal taxes on wealth passed to grandchildren or other skip persons.

The Retirement Group can assist you with wealth transfer planning and retirement income strategies. Call our team at (800) 900-5867 for guidance.

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Articles you may find interesting:

Sources:

1. Fidelity Investments. “Understanding the Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax.” Fidelity , 3 Oct. 2025, www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/wealth-management/insights/generation-skipping-transfer-tax .

2. Internal Revenue Service. “ IRS releases tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2027 .” IRS.gov , 9 Oct. 2025.

3. Bendig, Erin. “How This 529 ‘Superfund’ Strategy Can Transform Your Estate Plan.” Kiplinger , 12 Sept. 2025, www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/this-super-529-strategy-can-help-you-jumpstart-college-savings .

4. Investopedia. ' What Is a Dynasty Trust? ' by Will Kenton. 31 March 2025.

How does the transition of the Avery Dennison U.S. Pension Plan to a group annuity contract affect current employees who are nearing retirement, and what steps should they consider taking during this transition to ensure their benefits are secure from Avery Dennison?

Current Employees Nearing Retirement: The transition to a group annuity contract should not affect the accrued benefits of current employees nearing retirement. The terms of the annuity payments will match those provided by the previous pension plan. Employees should ensure their personal information is updated and consult with the Avery Dennison Retirement Center to understand the timing of their benefits commencement during the transition period.

In what ways does Avery Dennison support employees who are considering their options for retirement benefits, particularly those who may not have previously explored their pension plan details prior to the transition to an insurer?

Support for Employees Exploring Retirement Options: Avery Dennison assists employees by providing detailed information through their retirement center and online resources. Employees are encouraged to review the changes and implications of the annuity transition and contact the retirement center for personalized advice, particularly if they have not previously explored their pension plan details.

Can you elaborate on the implications of the group annuity contract for employees who have recently retired from Avery Dennison, particularly concerning how their benefits are administered compared to the previous pension plan structure?

Recently Retired Employees: For those who have recently retired, the administration of their benefits will shift from Avery Dennison to the selected insurer but this should not change the amount, timing, or form of the benefits they receive. This ensures continuity in the administration of benefits without affecting the retirees directly.

For employees currently receiving benefits through Avery Dennison, how will the transition to the selected insurer impact the continuity and reliability of their monthly payments, and what measures are in place to safeguard these payments?

Continuity and Reliability of Payments: The transition involves the selection of a highly rated insurer, ensuring the reliability of ongoing monthly payments. Avery Dennison has put measures in place, including a thorough selection process involving an independent fiduciary, to safeguard these payments.

What are the specific protections offered to beneficiaries under the group annuity contracts once the Pension Plan transitions away from Avery Dennison's administration, and how do these protections differ from those provided under the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)?

Protections for Beneficiaries: After the transition, the state guaranty associations, rather than the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), will offer protection to beneficiaries. This shift means that while the federal insurance via PBGC will no longer apply, state-level insurance, which has its own limits and guarantees, will take over.

In light of the transition to the group annuity, how should employees at Avery Dennison go about updating their personal information, such as addresses or banking details, and what timelines should they be aware of during this process?

Updating Personal Information: Employees should update their personal details such as addresses or banking information through the Avery Dennison Retirement Center by specific deadlines during the transition period. Post-transition, such updates should be made directly with the new insurer.

How does Avery Dennison ensure that the financial health of the selected insurer for the group annuity contract is sufficient to meet the obligations to its retirees, and what standards are applied during the selection process?

Financial Health of the Insurer: Avery Dennison ensures the financial adequacy of the selected insurer through a rigorous selection process managed by an independent fiduciary. This includes evaluations of the insurer's financial stability, claims-paying ability, and overall business practices.

After the transition to an insurer is complete, what should employees of Avery Dennison do if they have questions regarding their retirement benefits, and how will communication be handled moving forward to ensure clarity and support?

Post-Transition Communication: After the transition, employees should direct their questions regarding retirement benefits to the selected insurer's service center. Avery Dennison will provide contact details and further instructions in a welcome kit following the transition.

How does the U.S. tax legislation impacts the retirement benefits of Avery Dennison employees who are transitioning to a group annuity, particularly concerning taxation of these annuity payments during retirement?

Impact of U.S. Tax Legislation: The transition to a group annuity may affect the taxation of retirement benefits. Employees are advised to consult with tax professionals to understand the specific impacts based on their personal circumstances.

For employees seeking more information regarding the details of their retirement benefits and the implications of the insurer transition, how can they contact Avery Dennison to discuss their specific circumstances and gain clarity on any outstanding questions?

Accessing Further Information: Employees seeking more details about their retirement benefits post-transition can contact Avery Dennison through their designated Retirement Center or access information via the company's dedicated benefits website. This is crucial for obtaining clarity on specific circumstances and outstanding queries regarding the transition.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.

Avery Dennison announced a major restructuring plan that includes layoffs affecting approximately 10% of its global workforce. The company is also revising its pension and 401(k) plans to better align with current economic conditions.

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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Avery Dennison at 207 Goode Ave Glendale, CA 91203; or by calling them at +1 626-304-2000.