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Essential Estate Planning Insights for Topgolf Callaway Brands Employees: Unlocking New Opportunities in 2024

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Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Topgolf Callaway Brands Topgolf Callaway Brands partners primarily with UHC (UnitedHealth Group) for employee healthcare coverage. As one of the major players in the insurance market, UHC provides various healthcare plans to Topgolf employees, giving them access to a wide range of medical services and resources. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 for Topgolf Callaway Brands As we approach 2026, Topgolf Callaway Brands employees may face significant increases in healthcare costs driven by a combination of factors. Premiums in the ACA marketplace are projected to rise sharply, with some states seeing hikes exceeding 60%. If enhanced federal subsidies are not renewed, 92% of policyholders could potentially see their out-of-pocket premiums surge by over 75%. Consequently, Topgolf employees should prepare for these financial strains by reviewing their health benefits and exploring strategies to mitigate increased expenses effectively. Click here to learn more

New changes in federal gift and GST tax exemptions provide a unique opportunity for proactive estate planning, especially for Topgolf Callaway Brands employees who want to transfer wealth without incurring significant taxes,' says Kevin Landis, a representative of The Retirement Group, an affiliate of Wealth Enhancement Group.

Brent Wolf from The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group, encourages Topgolf Callaway Brands employees to take advantage of the temporary increase in gift and GST tax exemptions as a means of effective estate planning.

In this article, we will discuss:

1. The role of Inflation Adjustments: How the 2024 inflation adjustments to federal gift and GST tax exemptions create new opportunities for tax efficient wealth transfer.

2. Strategies for Estate Planning: An overview of various estate planning strategies including SLATs, GRATs, and Dynasty Trusts that can be useful for Topgolf Callaway Brands employees.

3. State Tax Consequences: How state taxes affect estate planning and what this means for residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

The federal gift and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemption amounts have been raised due to the latest inflation adjustments from January 1, 2024. This adjustment presents new possibilities for sophisticated estate planning especially for the benefit of Topgolf Callaway Brands employees. It is now possible to exclude $13,610,000 for an individual and $27,220,000 for a married couple from federal gift and GST taxes. In the present economic environment of low asset values these changes present a good opportunity to move wealth across the generations.

The federal estate and gift tax exclusion, as well as the GST tax exemption, were initially heightened by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and then heightened again by the 2024 inflation adjustments. This enables many assets to be transferred without tax consequences during the owner’s lifetime or at their death. However, these higher exemption levels are only temporary and will return to their pre-2018 levels (adjusted for inflation) beginning January 1, 2026.

The new regulations increase the amount that can be gifted in 2024 by an extra $690,000 for individuals and $1,380,000 for married couples if other exemption thresholds have been used. This update is important as it provides opportunities for taking full advantage of tax-deferred wealth transfers while the tax laws permit it. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 also allowed the surviving spouse to use the deceased spouse’s unused federal estate tax exclusion in paying for the deceased’s lifetime gifts or estate planning.

The annual federal gift tax exemption has also been increased to $18,000 per recipient, or $36,000 for married couples who choose to gift together. This increase expands the opportunities for tax planning to gift and still leave some exemption available to pay for tuition or medical expenses — important for Topgolf Callaway Brands employees who are helping to pay for their families’ education or health care. It also helps with the possibility of gradual giving.

State Specific Factors to Consider:

This is especially important for residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut because of state tax consequences. For instance, New York does not have a gift tax but has many opportunities to take advantage of large federal exemptions in order to avoid state estate taxes, especially in light of recent market conditions. New Jersey has no gift or estate taxes, but does have an inheritance tax on transfers to non-lineal descendants at rates up to 16%. Connecticut is the only state with a gift tax, but because of the synchronization of federal and state exemptions, the burden is reduced.

Estate Planning Techniques:

In the present tax regime, the following strategies should be considered for Topgolf Callaway Brands employees:

1. Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs): These enable the client to invest and grow assets outside the taxable estate while ensuring that the spouse is well provided for through the use of exemption amounts.

2. Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs): These provide for the transfer of any appreciation in the assets to beneficiaries without incurring tax on the amount retained in the annuity, which is particularly advantageous in a volatile market.

3. Dynasty Trusts: These trust arrangements are created to take full advantage of the GST tax exemptions and hold assets beyond estate, gift, and GST taxes for multiple generations, providing a long-standing protection against creditors’ claims.

4. Intrafamily Loans and Sales to Grantor Trusts: These methods use valuation approaches and low-interest rates to move the wealth and at the same time reduce the value of the estate that will be taxed, while the assets grow.

Income Tax Considerations:

Grantor trusts are quite efficient from the perspective of income taxes as the trust’s income is reported on the grantor’s return, allowing the assets to grow without being taxed. This structure can be very useful for asset swaps that may reset the basis for capital gains after the grantor has died. In conclusion, the temporary increase in federal tax exemptions presents an important opportunity for Topgolf Callaway Brands employees to plan their estates. Using these exemptions together with sophisticated gifting and trust arrangements can lead to substantial tax savings and wealth protection.

It is, therefore, important to have a clear understanding of both state and federal tax laws and to have an appropriately tailored estate plan to meet personal and family objectives. The state estate taxes can significantly influence estate planning and therefore cannot be ignored, particularly for people nearing retirement or who are already retired. This is especially important in states such as Massachusetts and Oregon where the estate tax starts at $1 million in value and it is imperative to use federal exclusions to avoid state tax consequences while maximizing on federal tax benefits.

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These adjustments to the GST and federal gift tax exemptions are like steering a ship through a rapidly changing sea. Like a good captain, Topgolf Callaway Brands employees can take advantage of these temporarily higher exemptions, now at their highest ever, to steer their retirement.

Disclosure: Not tax advice. Please consult with a qualified tax professional regarding your unique situation.

Sources:

1. 'IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2024.' Internal Revenue Service, 9 Nov. 2023,  www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-provides-tax-inflation-adjustments-for-tax-year-2024 .

2. 'How Do the Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes Work?' Tax Policy Center, Jan. 2024,  www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/how-do-estate-gift-and-generation-skipping-transfer-taxes-work .

3. 'Estate, Gift, and GST Taxes.' American Bar Association, 2024,  www.americanbar.org/groups/real_property_trust_estate/resources/estate_gift_and_gst_taxes .

4. Driessen, Grant A., and Jane G. Gravelle. 'Overview of the Federal Tax System as in Effect for 2024.' Congressional Research Service, 2024, crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45145.

5. 'What's New — Estate and Gift Tax.' Internal Revenue Service, 2024,  www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax .

What type of retirement savings plan does Topgolf Callaway Brands offer to its employees?

Topgolf Callaway Brands offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.

How can employees of Topgolf Callaway Brands enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Employees of Topgolf Callaway Brands can enroll in the 401(k) plan through the company’s HR portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.

Is there a company match for contributions made to the 401(k) plan at Topgolf Callaway Brands?

Yes, Topgolf Callaway Brands provides a company match for employee contributions to the 401(k) plan, subject to certain limits.

What is the minimum contribution percentage required for employees at Topgolf Callaway Brands to receive the company match?

Employees at Topgolf Callaway Brands typically need to contribute at least 3% of their salary to qualify for the company match.

Can employees of Topgolf Callaway Brands choose how their 401(k) contributions are invested?

Yes, employees of Topgolf Callaway Brands can select from a variety of investment options for their 401(k) contributions.

What is the vesting schedule for the company match in the 401(k) plan at Topgolf Callaway Brands?

The vesting schedule for the company match at Topgolf Callaway Brands generally follows a standard schedule, which may vary based on tenure.

Are there any fees associated with the 401(k) plan at Topgolf Callaway Brands?

Yes, there may be administrative fees associated with the 401(k) plan at Topgolf Callaway Brands, which are disclosed in the plan documents.

How often can employees at Topgolf Callaway Brands change their contribution amounts to the 401(k) plan?

Employees at Topgolf Callaway Brands can typically change their contribution amounts on a quarterly basis.

What happens to the 401(k) plan if an employee leaves Topgolf Callaway Brands?

If an employee leaves Topgolf Callaway Brands, they have several options for their 401(k) plan, including rolling it over to another retirement account or cashing it out.

Does Topgolf Callaway Brands offer educational resources about the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Topgolf Callaway Brands provides educational resources and workshops to help employees understand their 401(k) plan options.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Topgolf Callaway Brands offers a 401(k) plan as part of its retirement benefits for employees. The plan allows eligible employees to contribute a percentage of their income into a tax-advantaged retirement account. For the years 2022, 2023, and 2024, Topgolf Callaway Brands maintained its defined contribution plan in alignment with IRS limits, which included annual contribution limits of $20,500 in 2022, $22,500 in 2023, and $23,000 in 2024, with catch-up contributions of $6,500 for those over 50 in 2022 and 2023, and $7,500 in 2024​ (Wikipedia)​ (Pension Rights Center). The company uses a 401(k) plan to attract and retain employees, offering matching contributions up to a certain percentage, typically around 4%, although exact figures may vary depending on the employee's role and location. Eligible employees can begin contributing to their 401(k) plan upon hire or after a short waiting period, with contributions vesting over a set number of years.
Topgolf Callaway Brands has announced multiple strategic reviews in 2023-2024, including the consideration of spinning off Topgolf to optimize the company's structure and increase shareholder value. In 2023, the company performed solidly in terms of revenue, reporting strong performance in its golf equipment segment and delivering over $4.28 billion in revenue. However, the company is actively considering cost-saving measures, including operational restructuring, that could lead to potential layoffs and benefit adjustments. Additionally, Topgolf Callaway Brands has been adjusting its pension and 401(k) plans, focusing on competitive retirement savings offerings to retain key talent in a challenging economic environment​ (Topgolf Callaway Brands) .
Topgolf Callaway Brands (MODG) offers stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of its employee compensation strategy. In 2022, the company granted stock options primarily to senior executives and long-term employees. These stock options were issued under the MODG incentive program, aligning compensation with company performance​ (Topgolf Callaway Brands). In 2023, RSUs were expanded across the company to include mid-level managers, allowing broader employee participation in equity ownership. This helps align employee incentives with the company’s success​ (MyGolfSpy). The 2024 plan introduced additional vesting options to retain talent over the long term, targeting specific milestones within the company​ (MarketBeat).
Topgolf Callaway Brands provides a range of health benefits to its employees, focusing on comprehensive insurance packages, wellness programs, and preventive care. Specific healthcare-related terms and acronyms frequently associated with their offerings include PPO (Preferred Provider Organization), HSA (Health Savings Account), and EAP (Employee Assistance Program). Additionally, they offer dental, vision, and mental health services. In 2023 and 2024, Topgolf Callaway Brands emphasized wellness initiatives, including mental health support, reflecting the broader trend in corporate healthcare strategies to integrate wellness with traditional health insurance. The company also made notable adjustments to its healthcare plans, particularly focusing on affordability and accessibility, by expanding telehealth services and preventive care benefits.
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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Topgolf Callaway Brands at , ; or by calling them at .

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/401(k) https://pensionrights.org/resource/retirement-plan-contribution-and-benefit-limits/ https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/tax-planning/604591/net-unrealized-appreciation-a-hidden-tax-strategy https://carlsoncap.com/articles/nua-net-unrealized-appreciation/ https://www.topgolfcallawaybrands.com/news-releases/news-release-details/topgolf-callaway-brands-release-fourth-quarter-and-full-year https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/topgolf-callaway-2023-sales-hit-4-285-billion/ https://www.marketbeat.com/stocks/NYSE/MODG/earnings/#google_vignette https://press.topgolf.com/ https://thegolfnewsnet.com/ https://press.topgolf.com/2021-03-08-Callaway-Golf-Company-Completes-Merger-with-Topgolf-Creating-an-Unrivaled-Global-Leader-in-the-Game-of-Golf https://www.investopedia.com/ https://thegolfnewsnet.com/ryan_ballengee/2024/03/20/topgolf-to-be-spun-off-into-its-own-company-with-callaway-golf-sold-away-report-131894/ https://www.callawaygolf.com/careers https://intellizence.com/insights/layoff-downsizing/leading-companies-announcing-layoffs-and-hiring-freezes/ https://golf.com/news/callaways-topgolf-acquisition-working-out/

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