ECLAT CASE STUDIES
Annuity Maximizer

The donor gifts the asset to the trust

— $2,600,000 is gifted to the charitable trust, possibly resulting in current charitable income tax deduction of $2,000,000*

— $600,000 is subject to gift taxes

*Based on Section 7520 rate of 2.8%

Assumptions:

Existing Annuity $2,900,000
Cost Basis $1,500,000
Gift Tax – Offset $300,000 annuity surrender
Income Tax – Offset charitable deduction

Planning Assumptions
Policy TransACE ®
Initial face amount $10,000,000
Premium amount $2,183,328
Premium frequency Single Pay
Number of Years 1
Gender/Age Female/69
Underwriting Status Preferred Non-Smoker

 

Upon the insured’s death, trust provides final payment to charity and trust beneficiary receives remaining trust assets

— The trust provides the charity with a final payout of $2,500,000 — Trust beneficiary receives the remaining trust assets which include $7,500,000 from the life insurance

 

Trust purchases life insurance and municipal bonds

— $2,183,328 purchases a TransACE® policy insuring life or Mrs. Smith with a $10,000,000 guaranteed death benefit

— $416,672 is invested in municipal bonds

Municipal bonds provide an annual income to the charity

Municipal bonds of $416,672 provide charity with $25,000 of annual income.


IRA Maximizer

The donor gifts the asset to the trust

— $1,000,000 is gifted to the charitable trust, possibly resulting in current charitable income tax deduction of $900,000*

— $100,000 is subject to gift taxes.

*Based on Section 7520 rate of 3.4%

Assumptions:

IRA Income Tax – Offsets by Charitable Income Tax Deduction

Planning Assumptions
Policy TransACE ®
Initial face amount $3,037,000
Premium amount $900,000
Premium frequency Single Pay
Number of Years 1
Gender/Age Male/70
Underwriting Status Preferred Non-Smoker

 

Upon the insured’s death, trust provides final payment to charity and trust beneficiary receives remaining trust assets

— The trust provides the charity with a final payout of $1,450,000

— Trust beneficiary receives the remaining trust assets which include $1,587,000 from the life insurance

 

Trust purchases life insurance and municipal bonds

— $900,000 purchases a TransACE ® policy insuring life of John D. Client with a $3,037,000 guaranteed death benefit

— $100,000 is invested in municipal bonds

Municipal bonds provide an annual income to the charity

Municipal bonds of $100,000 provide charity with $5,000 of annual income.


 


Brian is a sales executive of a software company and is charitably inclined. Brian has had a great year and recently received a year-end performance bonus in the amount of $1 million. He does not need the bonus to supplement his retirement plan and would like to minimize the impact this bonus will likely have on his income taxes.

Assuming a current and future total state and federal income tax rate of 45%, and a current and future federal estate tax and gift tax rate of 45%, how might the enhanced Charitable Trust Strategy help Brian?

 
1 Based on a § 7520 rate of 3.2%.
2 Based on 60-year-old make preferred non-smoker.
3 Creation of a policy with a large single premium may result in a modified endowment contract (MEC). MECs have certain income tax consequences in the event a withdrawal or loan is taken on the policy. clients should consult their tax advisor as to these income tax consequences.
4 $250,000 subject to gift tax.
 

 

ECLAT CASE STUDIES

As with other planning strategies,
this strategy is not a good fit for everyone.

Generally, the Enhanced Charitable Trust strategy is suitable for:

— High net-worth individuals aged 60 or older

— Recipients of large, non-recurring taxable income, such as a lump-sum bonus or a commission check

— Individuals expecting a substantial proceeds from the sale of a business or real estate.

— Retiree’s with substantial annuity, IRA , or qualified plan balances

Other considerations to keep in mind

Because this is a grantor trust, the income generated by the CLA T will be taxable to the grantor. Municipal bonds are generally a good choice when selecting the fixed income product to generate the annual income to the charity, since the proceeds are federal income tax-free to the grantor.

Secondly, the remainder amount received by the non-charitable trust beneficiary is subject to federal gift tax. The amount subject to gift tax is based on the original gift amount less the charitable income tax deduction.

Original gift amount
– Charitable tax deduction
Amount subject to gift tax

 

DISCLAIMER

This material was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used to avoid penalties imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. This material was written to support the promotion or marketing of the products, services, and/or concepts addressed in this material. Anyone to whom this material is promoted, marketed, or recommended should consult with and rely solely on their own independent qualified tax advisors regarding their particular situation and the concepts presented here.

Discussions to the various planning strategies and issues are based on our understanding of the applicable federal income, gift, and estate tax laws in effect at the time of publication. However, these laws are subject to interpretation and change, and there is no guarantee that the relevant tax authorities will agree with Transamerica’s views. Additionally, the information presented here does not consider the impact of applicable state laws upon clients and prospects.

Although care is taken in preparing this material and presenting it accurately, Advanced Planning Group disclaims any express or implied warranty as to the accuracy of any material contained herein and any liability with respect to it. This information is current as of July 2009.