Future Estate Tax Changes May Harm University of California Employees

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'We expect changes in exemptions from estate taxes as early as 2025 and University of California employees should plan ahead,' said Sullivan. The full scope of these changes and early preparation can give you 'great peace of mind and financial security,' says Michael Corgiat, a representative of the Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.

As estate-tax thresholds remain uncertain, University of California employees might want to start planning their estates now rather than later to avoid pitfalls. As The Wealth Enhancement Group's Brent Wolf puts it, 'such strategic planning is necessary to protect your financial legacy should the tax regime change.'

In this article we will discuss:

1. Changes to Estate-Tax Exemptions Are Coming Soon: As 2025 winds down, a planned reduction in federal estate-tax exemptions could be a problem for affluent investors - especially since those figures are expected to return to pre-2018 levels.

2. Strategies for Wealth Transfer: We will review strategies that high-net-worth individuals might use to limit possible tax liabilities - through gifts and trust structures.

3. Impact of Legislative Uncertainty: The ambiguity surrounding congressional actions on tax laws points to the importance of proactive financial planning for large assets.

Particularly at the end of 2025 the financial environment is complex. Estate-tax exemptions are among the top upcoming considerations for astute investors and asset owners.

The individual federal estate-tax exemption is now at USD 12.9 million, up from USD 12.06 million in 2022. This adds up to USD 25.84 million for a couple compared with USD 24.12 million last year. These amounts - as set forth in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2018 - are basically what a person can leave tax-free. This may change however.

These exemption amounts will return to pre-2018 levels by the end of 2025 without congressional intervention. This may reduce the exemption by half inflation-adjusted. That's an important matter. With just 1,275 taxable estate returns in 2020, these changes could complicate matters. At roughly USD 6.5 million per person, more University of California employees will want to tread carefully, given evolving IRS portability rules allowing spouses to transfer exemptions. That does not include the 17 states and the District of Columbia that each have their own inheritance tax and rules.

Many may think USD 6,500,000 is big money. In today's economic climate that could easily translate to a hefty 401 (k) and a metropolitan home. In the future plans, these values should be considered.

Whether University of California employees are really on the verge of such a change in estate-tax exemptions is a big question mark. Much is debated about how these exemptions will evolve, as Mr. Eric Bronnenkant, Head of Tax at Betterment.com, puts it aptly. Particularly given the political climate these days, congressional decisions are notoriously volatile. Particular large estate taxes present difficult budget issues.

Though you can wait and see, the deadline will surely spur engagements with estate attorneys and financial planners. So transferring USD 3.5 million is no more straightforward than writing a check for someone with USD 10 million in assets. This requires strategic trust structures and other sophisticated estate-planning methodologies that require experienced professionals. All of these maneuvers cannot be accelerated overnight, especially with December 31, 2025 fast approaching.

Another possibility is that Congress delays action through 2026 and retroactively applies changes. Such retroactivity is possible in legislation but not in individual financial actions.

Those prospective changes create a strategic incentive for University of California employees to transfer assets during one's lifetime. That proactive strategy minimizes future estate taxes while giving you the tangible satisfaction of knowing that your assets will help others in your lifetime as well. If your assets are greater than the specified IRS exemption, the federal government could tax the excess at 40%.

But the irrevocability of virtually all transfer methods makes the transfer of large assets difficult. The future is unpredictable, as Mr. Bronnenkant says. Suppose a person with USD 10 million in assets died after the proposed reduction - the federal estate tax would be levied on that USD 3.5 million surplus. Transferring this amount before the end of 2025 would leave a USD 3 million exemption - which may be a smart move if the new threshold is not exceeded. The IRS says there will be no penalties for transfers up to the limit during 2018-2025.

But if exemptions remain unchanged after 2026 (around USD 13 million), transferring USD 3.5 million would leave about USD 9.5 million in lifetime exemption. But be prudent, said Eric J. Einhart, an honorary National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys board officer. Completely exhausting your exemption might put you in a precarious position.

By comparison, the annual gift limit without reducing your lifetime exemption is USD 17,000 per beneficiary in 2023 - up from USD 16,000. Though systematic bequests are possible, aggressive estate reduction requires more planning.

With upcoming estate-tax changes in mind, many soon-to-retire University of California employees analyze when to make large gifts to their families. Those nearing retirement age are increasingly considering early wealth transfers to descendants to take advantage of existing tax exemptions, according to a 2022 study by the Brookings Institution. Yet it notes that such gifts could have multiple tax consequences - including retroactive adjustments - depending on future tax reforms. Hence, even though gifting may seem advantageous under the current tax code, future legislative changes may have unexpected tax implications, and planning is necessary.

In conclusion, the best strategy for University of California employees depends on the situation. Mr. Einhart correctly points out there is no universal solution. Yet there are defined strategies for those who pursue them. For these waters, you need an experienced estate planner with a road map.

Planning a retirement vacation involves considering possible estate-tax changes. Imagine earning a spot on a luxury cruise whose ticket price will go up soon. So you think about buying more tickets for family members at this price and seeing if that is the best value. Yet prices may remain or decline - making your early purchase less profitable. Also, current tax exemptions make gifting assets appealing - but future legislative changes could alter the financial landscape. Like a cruise, you'll need expert advice on how to make sure today's decisions will lead to smooth sailing tomorrow.

Added Fact:

We'll get into the details of how future estate tax changes might affect our target audience of University of California workers and retirees approaching retirement age. A study in the AARP Bulletin in June 2023 noted that possible changes in estate tax laws could also affect how family businesses are passed down to future generations. The shifting estate tax thresholds may place family-owned businesses under additional financial strain and make it even more critical that individuals plan for succession to ensure their businesses survive into the future.

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Added Analogy:

The future estate tax changes could be like a captain plotting a course through the maze of retirement planning, like navigating a ship through water. Imagine your retirement nest egg as a stately vessel that carries your wealth and legacy. Like weather, the tax landscape is volatile. Today's clear skies will not guarantee sailing tomorrow.

Just as a captain studies weather reports to determine which route to take, so too must prudent retirees and University of California workers approaching retirement study the changing tax code. The cargo aboard your financial ship represents your family future, and the estate tax changes are the winds of change that blow you forward or lash a dark cloud over your legacy.

As a navigator would need expert advice and the latest navigational aids, so too should you rely on the expertise of experienced estate planners to light your way through these financial waters. You get that customized roadmap so that you can sail safely on your financial voyage and ensure maximum wealth generation for future generations. So, just like a captain would do, put your faith in them to navigate the fiscal seas and keep your legacy in safe harbor amid shifting estate tax tides.

Sources:

1. 'Estate Tax Exemption 2025: How Does it Work?' SK Financial, 5 Jan. 2025,  www.skfinancial.com/estate-tax-exemption-2025-how-does-it-work .

2. 'Use It or Lose It: Sunset of the Federal Estate Tax Exemption.' LPL Financial, 29 Jan. 2024,  www.lpl.com/news/estate-tax-exemption-sunset.html .

3. '2025 Federal & State Estate and Gift Tax Cheat Sheet.' Wealthspire, 2025,  www.wealthspire.com/2025-estate-and-gift-tax-guide .

'Preparing for Estate and Gift Tax Exemption Sunset.' Merrill Lynch,  www.ml.com/articles/preparing-for-estate-tax-exemption-sunset.html .

'New 2025 Federal Exemption Amounts and How They Impact Estate and Gift Tax Planning.' Riker Danzig, 12 Nov. 2024,  www.riker.com/publications/new-2025-federal-exemption-amounts .