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Crafting Your Legacy: Essential Estate Planning Tips for Mattel Employees

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Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Mattel Mattel's employee healthcare services are primarily provided by major insurers like UnitedHealthcare and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), which offer a variety of plans tailored to meet the needs of their workforce. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases for Mattel in 2026 As we approach 2026, Mattel employees may face rising healthcare costs amidst a backdrop of significant premium increases in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. With state filings revealing potential hikes as high as 66.4% in some areas, many employees could see their out-of-pocket expenses rise drastically if enhanced federal subsidies are not extended. As large companies look to transfer more healthcare costs to workers, including increased deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, it is essential for Mattel employees to review benefit options closely and strategize their healthcare spending to mitigate the financial impact. The shift in costs could result in households facing thousands of dollars in additional healthcare expenses for similar or reduced coverage. Click here to learn more

Benefits of a will:

  •  Distributes property  according to your  wishes
  •  Names an executor to  settle your estate
  •  Names a guardian for  minor children 
  • Can create a trust

You've worked hard with Mattel over the years to accumulate wealth, and you probably find it comforting to know that after your death the assets you leave behind will continue to be a source of support for your family, friends, and the causes that are important to you. However, we'd like to remind our clients from Mattel that to ensure your legacy reaches your heirs as you intend, you must make the proper arrangements now. There are four basic ways to leave a legacy: (1) by will, (2) by trust, (3) by beneficiary designation, and (4) by joint ownership arrangements.

Wills

A will is the cornerstone of any estate plan. We suggest that our Mattel clients have a will no matter how much their estate is worth, even if they've implemented other estate planning strategies. You can leave the property by will in two ways: making specific bequests and making general bequests. A specific bequest directs a particular piece of property to a particular person ('I leave Aunt Martha's diamond broach to my niece, Jen'). A general bequest is typically a percentage of property or property that is left over after all specific bequests have been made.

Typically, principal heirs receive general bequests ('I leave all the rest of my property to my wife, Jane'). With a will, you can generally leave any type of property to whomever you wish, with some exceptions, including:

  • Property will pass according to a beneficiary designation even if you name a different beneficiary for the same property in your will
  • Property owned jointly with rights of survivorship passes directly to the joint owner
  • Property in a trust passes according to the terms of the trust
  • Your surviving spouse has a right to a statutory share (e.g., 50%) of your property, regardless of what you leave him or her in your will
  • Children may have inheritance rights in certain states

Caution:  Leaving property outright to minor children is problematic. You should name a custodian or property guardian, or use a trust.

Trusts

Another option we'd like to point out to our Mattel employees is to leave property to their heirs using a trust. Trust property passes directly to the trust beneficiaries according to the trust terms. There are two basic types of trusts: (1) living or revocable, and (2) irrevocable. Living trusts are very flexible because you can change the terms of the trust (e.g., rename beneficiaries) and the property in the trust at any time. You can even change your mind by taking your property back and ending the trust.

An irrevocable trust, on the other hand, can only be changed or ended by its terms. This can be useful for our Mattel clients who want to minimize estate taxes or protect their property from potential creditors. You create a trust by executing a document called a trust agreement (we suggest these Mattel clients have an attorney draft any type of trust to be sure it accomplishes what they want).

A trust can't distribute property it does not own, so you must also transfer ownership of your property to the name of the trust. Properties without ownership documentation (e.g., jewelry, tools, furniture) are transferred to a trust by listing the items on a trust schedule. Property with ownership documents must be re-titled or re-registered. You must also name a trustee to administer the trust and manage the trust property. With a living trust, you can name yourself trustee, but you'll need to name a successor trustee who'll transfer the property to your heirs after your death.

Tip:  A living trust is also a good way to protect your property in case you become incapacitated.

 

While property that  passes by will is subject

to probate, property that  passes by a trust,

beneficiary designation,  or joint ownership

arrangement bypasses  probate.

 

Beneficiary Designations

Property that is contractual in nature, such as life insurance, annuities, and retirement accounts, passes to heirs by beneficiary designation. Typically, all you have to do is fill out a form and sign it. Beneficiaries can be persons or entities, such as a charity or a trust, and you can name multiple beneficiaries to share the proceeds. You should name primary and contingent beneficiaries.

Caution:  You shouldn't name minor children as beneficiaries. You can, however, name a guardian to receive the proceeds for the benefit of the minor child.

We suggest that these Mattel clients consider the income and estate tax ramifications for their heirs and their estate when naming a beneficiary. For example, proceeds your beneficiaries receive from life insurance are generally not subject to income tax, while your beneficiaries will have to pay income tax on proceeds received from tax-deferred retirement plans (e.g., traditional IRAs).

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These Mattel clients should check with a financial planning professional to determine whether their beneficiary designations will have the desired results. Be sure to re-evaluate your beneficiary designations when your circumstances change (e.g., marriage, divorce, death of beneficiary). You can't change the beneficiary with your will or a trust. You must fill out and sign a new beneficiary designation form.

Caution:  Some beneficiaries can't be changed. For example, a divorce decree may stipulate that an ex-spouse will receive the proceeds.

Tip:  Certain bank accounts and investments also allow you to name someone to receive the asset at your death.

Joint Ownership Arrangements

Two (or more) persons can own property equally, and at the death of one, the other becomes the sole owner. This type of ownership is called joint tenancy with rights of survivorship (JTWRS). A JTWRS arrangement between spouses is known as tenancy by the entirety in certain states, and a handful of states have a form of joint ownership known as community property.

Caution:  There is another type of joint ownership called tenancy in common where there is no right of survivorship. Property held as tenancy in common will not pass to a joint owner automatically, although you can leave your interest in the property to your heirs in your will.

You may find joint ownership arrangements are useful and convenient with some types of property, but may not be desirable with all of your property. For example, having a joint checking account ensures that, upon your death, an heir will have immediate access to needed cash. And owning an out-of-state residence jointly (e.g., a vacation home) can avoid an ancillary probate process in that state. But it may not be practical to own property jointly where frequent transactions are involved (e.g., your investment portfolio or business assets) because you may need the joint owner's approval and signature for each transaction.

There are some other disadvantages to joint ownership arrangements, including: (1) your co-owner has immediate access to your property, (2) naming someone who is not your spouse as co-owner may trigger gift tax consequences, and (3) if the co-owner has debt problems, creditors may go after the co-owner's share.

Caution:  Unlike with most other types of property, a co-owner of your checking or savings account can withdraw the entire balance without your knowledge or consent.

 

 

 

 

What retirement savings plan does Mattel offer to its employees?

Mattel offers a 401(k) Savings Plan to help employees save for retirement.

How can Mattel employees enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan?

Mattel employees can enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan through the company's benefits portal during the open enrollment period or upon eligibility.

Does Mattel match employee contributions to the 401(k) Savings Plan?

Yes, Mattel provides a matching contribution to the 401(k) Savings Plan, which helps boost employees' retirement savings.

What is the maximum contribution limit for Mattel's 401(k) Savings Plan?

The maximum contribution limit for Mattel's 401(k) Savings Plan aligns with IRS guidelines, which may change annually.

Can Mattel employees change their contribution percentage to the 401(k) Savings Plan?

Yes, Mattel employees can change their contribution percentage at any time through the benefits portal.

What investment options are available in Mattel's 401(k) Savings Plan?

Mattel's 401(k) Savings Plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds and target-date funds, to suit different risk tolerances.

Is there a vesting schedule for Mattel's 401(k) matching contributions?

Yes, Mattel has a vesting schedule for its matching contributions, which means employees must work for the company for a certain period to fully own those funds.

When can Mattel employees access their 401(k) Savings Plan funds?

Mattel employees can access their 401(k) funds upon reaching retirement age, or in cases of hardship, as defined by the plan.

Does Mattel offer any financial education resources for employees regarding the 401(k) Savings Plan?

Yes, Mattel provides financial education resources and workshops to help employees understand their 401(k) Savings Plan options.

Are loans available from Mattel's 401(k) Savings Plan?

Yes, Mattel allows employees to take loans from their 401(k) Savings Plan under certain conditions.

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