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

'PepsiCo 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.

'PepsiCo 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 PepsiCo 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 PepsiCo 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 PepsiCo 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. PepsiCo 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

PepsiCo 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

PepsiCo 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, PepsiCo 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.

What are the key steps an employee needs to take to prepare for retirement from PepsiCo, and how do these steps ensure that they maximize their benefits and entitlements?

Preparing for Retirement: Employees preparing for retirement from PepsiCo need to understand their retirement benefits, estimate their financial needs, and officially inform PepsiCo of their decision to retire. These steps are vital to ensure they maximize their benefits, including pensions, 401(k) plans, and retiree healthcare. The PepsiCo Savings and Retirement Center at Fidelity helps guide employees through this process, ensuring they make well-informed decisions(PepsiCo_October 2022_Ge…).

In what ways can PepsiCo employees navigate the complexities of their pension options, and what considerations should they have in mind when deciding between a lump sum and annuity?

Navigating Pension Options: PepsiCo employees can choose between a lump sum or an annuity for their pension benefits. When deciding, they should consider personal circumstances, such as life expectancy and financial needs. Employees can use the NetBenefits platform to estimate pension values at different retirement dates and consult financial counselors through Healthy Money for personalized advice(PepsiCo_October 2022_Ge…).

How does the PepsiCo Retiree Health Care Program function after retirement, and what criteria must be met for an employee to effectively enroll and maintain this coverage?

Retiree Health Care Program: PepsiCo offers a Retiree Health Care Program available until employees reach age 65, after which coverage transitions to the Via Benefits marketplace. Employees must actively enroll within 31 days of retirement to maintain coverage, or defer enrollment if preferred. The Retiree Health Care Contribution Estimator helps estimate future costs(PepsiCo_October 2022_Ge…)(PepsiCo_October 2022_Ge…).

How do the Automatic Retirement Contributions (ARC) at PepsiCo enhance an employee's retirement savings strategy, and what options do employees have to manage their ARC investments?

Automatic Retirement Contributions (ARC): Employees who receive ARC can manage their investments through NetBenefits. These contributions are automatically added to their retirement savings, enhancing long-term financial security. Employees can review and adjust their investment options to align with their retirement strategy(PepsiCo_October 2022_Ge…).

For employees aging 50 and over, what catch-up contribution options does PepsiCo provide to help with their 401(k) savings, and how can they take advantage of these benefits in their retirement planning?

Catch-Up Contributions: PepsiCo employees aged 50 and above can contribute additional amounts to their 401(k) plans under the catch-up contribution option. This benefit allows employees to boost their retirement savings, helping them prepare more effectively for retirement(PepsiCo_October 2022_Ge…).

What resources are available through PepsiCo for employees looking to calculate their retirement expenses, and how do these tools help in setting realistic financial goals for retirement?

Retirement Expense Calculators: PepsiCo provides tools like the Fidelity Planning & Guidance Center, which helps employees estimate retirement expenses. This tool includes health care costs, mortgage payments, and other potential retirement expenses, enabling employees to set realistic financial goals(PepsiCo_October 2022_Ge…).

How should employees at PepsiCo approach Social Security benefits when planning for retirement, and what role does the company play in facilitating their understanding of these benefits?

Social Security Benefits: Employees approaching retirement should consider when to start Social Security benefits. PepsiCo provides guidance through Healthy Money, helping employees understand how Social Security fits into their overall retirement strategy(PepsiCo_October 2022_Ge…).

What impact does health care coverage have on retired employees' finances, and how can PepsiCo retirees effectively use the Retiree Health Care Contribution Estimator to prepare for future health costs?

Retiree Health Care Contribution Estimator: Health care can significantly impact a retiree's budget. The Retiree Health Care Contribution Estimator is a tool PepsiCo retirees can use to prepare for future health costs. It helps employees estimate their contributions and explore different plan options to manage their post-retirement health care expenses(PepsiCo_October 2022_Ge…).

How can employees get in touch with the appropriate resources to learn more about PepsiCoâ€™s retirement benefits, and what specific contact information should they keep handy during this process?

Contact Information: To learn more about PepsiCo's retirement benefits, employees should contact the PepsiCo Savings and Retirement Center at Fidelity at 1-800-632-2014. Additionally, they can access resources on NetBenefits or consult Healthy Money counselors for personalized financial guidance(PepsiCo_October 2022_Ge…).

What are the implications of interest rate fluctuations on pension benefit calculations at PepsiCo, and how should employees factor these rates into their retirement planning decisions? These questions encourage a comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of retirement planning specific to PepsiCo, as well as consideration for personal financial management.

Interest Rate Fluctuations and Pension Calculations: PepsiCo employees considering a lump sum pension payout should be aware that lump sum values are inversely related to interest rates. A higher interest rate results in a lower lump sum payout, so employees should monitor interest rate trends when planning their pension distribution(PepsiCo_October 2022_Ge…)(PepsiCo_October 2022_Ge…).