The Tactics

2012 gifting guide

I am the first to admit that there has been a virtual avalanche of materials produced by the life insurance community on this topic, and I certainly hesitated before dipping my toes in the water of this topic. Why, aside from the obvious potential large cases, would I jump in? I think we have best-in-class resources assembled thanks to one of our core carriers.

 

How is this different? Great question. It comes down to execution. Specifically, providing the best guidance we have seen to date regarding not just the opportunity the current tax laws represent, but how to actually complete a transaction. We're talking issues like client approved educational pieces, when and how to involve the other professionals you will need to work with, filing requirements and how to think about the best assets to gift. Let's face it, there is simply not enough time left in the year to fool around with these cases. You need to move quickly.

 

So how do you access and use all of these materials? Here we go, starting with the agent resources:

 

  • Gifting overview - In case you need a refresher on the current law and what could change at the end of the year.
  • Process Summary - To keep you on point while you work through this with your client
  • White Paper - For the other advisors you will need to work with. Just in case they aren't as well informed as you are.

 

Consumer resources, as follow:

 

  • Hard Copy Mailer - Send me an email if you would like to order.
  • eBrochure - Suitable for attaching to email, posting to web sites, etc.
  • Consumer Web Site - For your more "technology forward" clients and prospects

 

All you need now are clients and prospects to talk to! Actually, you do need at least one more thing: a life insurance sale! Unless there is still an estate tax exposure after executing on this strategy, where do you find the sale? As we have discussed in previous weeks, asset management in a trust like this is very different from a more traditional ILIT. So different, in fact, that it is beyond the scope of our discussion today. If you want more information about the role of life insurance in these trusts for reasons OTHER than estate tax mitigation, give me a call and we can talk through the basics.

 

The bottom line in all of this material, and one of the unique aspects of the materials, is this is not simply for the super wealthy. In fact, clients with a net worth as "modest" as $1.5M to $2M may want to take advantage of this opportunity. If that doesn't expand your pool of potential prospects, nothing will!

 

Let's get a couple of these cases on the books this year. Give me a call to get started.

 

jeff-reed-sig

JEFF REED
  
President
Reed Insurance Consultancy
Marketing Consultant
Cavalier Associates
858/427.1643
jeff@cavalierassociates.com
Since its inception, Cavalier Associates has catered to the upscale insurance professional, and strives to be an exceptional resource to the brokerage community who seek the best product, sales support, and underwriting process. Our Staff is responsible for identifying and capitalizing on market trends and product opportunities. We specialize in large case management, advance sales support, sub-standard or hard to place cases, underwriting niches, and lifetime settlements.