Estate Max Alternative
Estate Max Alternative
Estate Max Alternative
Possible Solution
Consider an Estate Max approach, funded with life insurance, to transfer wealth.
TRANSFER
Strategy
Results
Estate taxation can be effectively minimized, while the transfer of wealth to heirs is maximized.
XMSD 44/175
SLPC 19204 08/08
Exp. Date 08/09
PAGE 1 OF 2
Benefits of the Estate Max Alternative Plan
Maximize Transfer of Wealth
Upon death, the life insurance proceeds will pass through the ILIT to heirs free of income and
estate taxes.4
Restore Lost Annuity Value
The life insurance coverage restores the death benefit that had been provided by the annuity value.
This restoration produces a similar benefit for heirs.
Additional Income
Any excess annuity distributions over the gifts to the ILIT may be used for retirement income.
Lifetime Guarantees
Access to a lifetime of annuity income and a lifetime no-lapse feature for the life insurance death
benefit are guaranteed, as long as required premium is paid on time each year. (These features may
not be available with all products or in all states.)
Notes:
1
Scheduled or systematic withdrawals are not guaranteed, and to the extent there is any shortfall, out-of-pocket payments may be needed
to fund the life insurance premiums. Withdrawals from an annuity are taken on a last-in-first-out basis, and will be subject to income
tax until 100% of the gain is received. Other tax consequences may result, including estate tax or income in respect of a decedent (IRD).
2
Annuity carriers offer specific rules and should be contacted for more information. Annuity income consists of principal and
interest and a portion of each payment will be income taxable. The taxable portion of the annuity income is determined by the
applicable annuity exclusion percentage. Excess annuity payments above the exclusion percentage are considered ordinary
income.
3
In order for gifts to the ILIT to qualify for the annual exclusion, the trust beneficiaries should be given “Crummey” rights of withdrawal
over the gift. In 2008, the annual exclusion gift amount is $12,000 and the unified credit amount is $2,000,000 per person. (A donor
can gift a maximum of $1,000,000 during his/her life.)
4
This assumes no transfer for value has been made or that the insured has had no incidents of ownership over the policy during his life.
This information is for general education of producers and contains references to concepts that have significant legal, accounting
and tax implications. It is not intended as legal, accounting or tax advice. Clients should consult with their own tax advisor regarding the
application of these concepts to any particular situation.
Not FDIC/NCUA insured. May lose value. No bank/credit union guarantee. Not a deposit. Not insured by any federal
government entity.
Universal life insurance is issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, MA) or in New York, Sun Life Insurance
and Annuity Company of New York (New York, NY).
All guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing company, Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills,
MA), or in New York, Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York (New York, NY). All are members of the Sun Life Financial
group of companies.
©2008 Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada. All rights reserved. Sun Life Financial and the globe symbol are registered
trademarks of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada.
XMSD 44/175
SLPC 19204 08/08
Exp. Date 08/09
Page 2 of 2