New Update: Healthcare Costs Increasing by Over 60% in Some States. Will you be impacted?

Navigating Estate Planning for Gilead Sciences Employees: Adapting to Federal and State Tax Changes

'Gilead Sciences employees must remain proactive in updating their estate plans to reflect the evolving tax landscape, ensuring their financial legacy is preserved despite anticipated changes to exemption limits and estate tax regulations.' – Michael Corgiat, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.

'Gilead Sciences employees should consider adjusting their estate plans now to take advantage of current exemption limits before the anticipated reductions in 2026, ensuring that their assets are protected and efficiently passed on to future generations.' – Brent Wolf, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.

In this article, we will discuss:

Upcoming Changes to Estate Tax Exemptions — How the reduction of the federal gift and estate tax exemption in 2026 may impact Gilead Sciences employees' estate plans.
Strategies for Managing Different Asset Types — The tax implications of retirement accounts, taxable accounts, and real estate when structuring an estate plan.
The Role of Life Insurance in Estate Planning — How irrevocable life insurance trusts can help mitigate estate tax burdens and facilitate a smooth transfer of wealth.

Estate planning remains a complicated area of financial management for Gilead Sciences employees. With major changes to federal tax regulations expected by the end of 2025, employees should consider adjusting their estate plans to accommodate possible changes.

Modifications to Exemption Limits' Effects.

At USD 13.99 million per person, the federal gift and estate tax lifetime exemption is currently USD 13.99 million. This exemption is expected to drop to around USD 7 million post-2025. This change creates concern among users of the existing higher gifting limits. But Treasury Department regulations from November 2019 say gifts made between 2018 and 2025 under the higher exemption amounts will not be affected even if the exemption amounts decrease after 2025. Source: Treasury Department:

Considered Aspects for Different Account Types.

The federal estate tax affects all account types differently - and that includes employees of Gilead Sciences companies - because assets at death are taxable at the full market value. Assets in retirement accounts like traditional IRAs or 401(k)s are subject to income taxes and possible penalties if passed before death. Alternatively, assets in taxable accounts like real estate or brokerage accounts might be better suited to lifetime gifting strategies. Roth conversions may also improve tax efficiency on large assets in retirement accounts.

Considerations Regarding Real Estate and Estate Taxes.

Estate planning for real estate involves considering the property's value at death because it directly affects estate tax, whether the heirs plan to sell or keep the property. States such as Nebraska and Pennsylvania tax the heirs on inheritances. Gilead Sciences employees planning their estates should structure plans that provide enough liquidity to cover estate taxes and other costs without having to liquidate large assets like real estate or family businesses, especially since estate tax exemptions could decrease in 2026.

Life Insurance & Estate Planning.

Life insurance proceeds are included in the estate's gross value. But the proceeds of a policy owned by an irrevocable trust are not included in the estate and are exempt from estate taxes. This setup allows structured planning using annual exclusion gifts to fund life insurance premiums through trusts - a useful tool for tax-advantaged wealth transfer - especially with estates that may be over federal exemption limits.

Reviewing Your Estate Plan

Gilead Sciences employees should review and update their estate plans every three to five years or at the time of a major life event like marriage, the birth of a child, or a significant change in net worth. State or federal tax laws also should cause an evaluation of estate plans. Some whose plans might not reflect new laws or personal circumstances should consult an estate planning attorney, especially with tax changes coming soon.

Final Thoughts

Gilead Sciences employees should take proactive estate planning steps to protect their legacy amid possible federal tax law changes. This means understanding how different asset types affect estate taxes, using trusts for life insurance, and maintaining estate liquidity to service tax obligations. Such strategies match financial planning to laws of today and tomorrow, preserving wealth for future generations.

Like navigating changing waters, Gilead Sciences employees should update their estate plans to reflect changing tax landscapes. Actively preserving financial legacies through lifetime gifting or asset restructuring may help them weather changes in federal tax exemptions. A bit like a captain in shifting seas, careful preparation may lead an estate to its destination.

Articles you may find interesting:

Source:

1. 'Understanding the 2026 Changes to the Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Tax Exemptions.' Husch Blackwell , June 2024, www.huschblackwell.com .

2. 'Estate Planning Considerations for Highly Appreciated Assets.' McLane Middleton , September 2024, www.mclane.com .

3. 'Estate Planning Now and for the 2026 'Double Exemption' Sunset.' Eide Bailly , July 2023, www.eidebailly.com .

4. 'Make Estate Planning More Tax Efficient By NOT Splitting Assets Evenly.' Michael Kitces , August 2024, www.kitces.com .

5. 'Estate Tax Exemption Sunset 2026: Key Questions Answered.' Merrill Lynch Wealth Management , March 2024, pbig.ml.com.

How does Gilead's approach to employee benefits evolve to ensure comprehensive health coverage for full-time and part-time employees, and how do these benefits align with industry standards? Additionally, considering the competitive landscape, what specific initiatives does Gilead undertake to maintain and enhance its health benefits offering?

Gilead ensures comprehensive health coverage for both full-time and part-time employees by offering competitive medical, dental, and vision plans. Full-time employees, as well as part-time employees working at least 30 hours a week, are eligible for a range of health benefits, including coverage for spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children. This benefits package includes life and disability insurance, health savings accounts, and wellness services such as biometric screenings and fitness reimbursements, aligning with industry standards(Gilead_2016_Company_Peo…).

In what ways does Gilead's professional development program contribute to the personal and career growth of its employees? How does Gilead gauge the effectiveness of these development initiatives, and what feedback mechanisms are in place to continually improve the offerings?

Gilead’s professional development program contributes to employees' personal and career growth through extensive training opportunities, leadership development programs, and an MBA program in partnership with Golden Gate University. Gilead monitors the effectiveness of these initiatives through completion metrics, feedback surveys, and by tracking career progression. A continuous feedback loop ensures that employee development programs evolve based on participants’ experiences and business needs(Gilead_2016_Company_Peo…).

Gilead emphasizes a pay-for-performance model in its compensation structure. How does this model operate in practice, and in what ways are performance metrics tied to employee compensation at Gilead? Moreover, how does the company ensure transparency and fairness in its pay practices?

Gilead operates a pay-for-performance model, where employee compensation is directly tied to individual performance evaluations and business results. Regular reviews ensure that compensation remains fair and competitive, with transparency maintained through structured performance assessments. Gilead promotes pay equity, regularly reviewing compensation practices to ensure fairness and alignment with market conditions(Gilead_2016_Company_Peo…).

Given the unique challenges associated with employee parental leave, how does Gilead support employees who are navigating this transition? Furthermore, how are Gilead's policies aligned with or surpassing industry standards regarding parental leave and adoption benefits?

Gilead supports employees during parental leave transitions by offering 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents in the U.S., along with adoption benefits and reimbursements of up to $5,000. This benefit, extended to both U.S. and international employees, ensures legislative compliance and alignment with market standards, often surpassing industry norms(Gilead_2016_Company_Peo…).

With the increasing importance of mental health support in the workplace, how does Gilead's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) address the diverse wellness needs of its employees? In what ways does Gilead promote the utilization of these services to ensure engagement and effectiveness?

Gilead’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) addresses a broad range of wellness needs, including mental health support, counseling, and legal or financial assistance. The company promotes these services through internal communications and wellness campaigns, ensuring employees are aware of and engage with these offerings, which are designed to provide confidential and comprehensive support(Gilead_2016_Company_Peo…).

How does Gilead foster an inclusive work environment that values diversity? What specific programs and initiatives are in place to promote inclusion, and how does Gilead measure the success of these diversity initiatives?

Gilead fosters an inclusive work environment through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and diversity initiatives aimed at professional development and community engagement. The company measures the success of its inclusion efforts through employee feedback, participation in diversity programs, and performance management processes that now include “inclusion” as a core value(Gilead_2016_Company_Peo…).

Considering Gilead's Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), how do the company's policies encourage employee investment in Gilead? What benefits do employees gain from participating in the ESPP, and how does it contribute to their overall financial well-being?

Gilead’s Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) encourages investment by offering U.S. employees the ability to contribute 1-15% of their pay to purchase Gilead stock at a 15% discount. This program helps employees build financial security and aligns their interests with the company's success, contributing to overall financial well-being(Gilead_2016_Company_Peo…).

What role does volunteerism play within Gilead's corporate culture, and how does the company facilitate employee engagement in community service initiatives? Additionally, how does participation in these programs impact employee satisfaction and retention rates?

Volunteerism is integral to Gilead’s corporate culture, with the company supporting employee involvement in community service through its Gilead Volunteer Community. These activities align with Gilead’s mission and values, and participation positively impacts employee satisfaction and retention by fostering a sense of purpose and community engagement(Gilead_2016_Company_Peo…).

How does Gilead ensure that its benefits package remains competitive within the biotechnology industry? What strategies does Gilead employ to regularly assess and enhance its offerings to meet the evolving needs of its workforce?

Gilead ensures its benefits package remains competitive by regularly reviewing and benchmarking against industry standards. The company adjusts offerings to meet evolving employee needs, particularly in areas like health and wellness, retirement plans, and work-life balance, ensuring that its benefits are both market-competitive and supportive of long-term employee well-being(Gilead_2016_Company_Peo…).

For employees seeking more information about Gilead's benefits and retirement options, what are the best channels to contact Gilead? How does Gilead ensure that employees have access to clear and timely information regarding their benefits, and what resources are available to assist them during the retirement process?

Employees seeking more information about Gilead’s benefits and retirement options can access resources through the company’s HR portals, internal communication channels, or by contacting HR directly. Gilead provides clear, timely information and offers comprehensive resources such as retirement planning consultations and financial wellness programs to assist employees during the retirement process(Gilead_2016_Company_Peo…).