150A Andover Street Suite 2 Danvers, MA 01923

978.777.6554
rcella@ipswichfinancial.com
Client Login
Ipswich Bay Advisors Home
Ipswich Bay Advisors Home
  • Home
  • Home
  • About Us 
    • Our Mission
    • Our Pledge
    • Our Team
    • Our Strategic Partners
    • Ed Slott Master Elite IRA Experts
    • Research-Based Investing
  • Services 
    • Retirement Planning
    • Tax Planning
    • Investment Management
    • Financial Planning
  • 401k Business Services 
    • Advisory and Management Services
    • Employee Education
    • Plan Sponsors
    • Participants
  • Events 
    • Meet Ed Slott Live!
    • Monthly Webinars
  • Resources 
    • State of the Market
    • Newsletters
    • LPL Research
    • Videos
    • Your Personal Retirement Machine
  • Contact Us
Client Login
Estate Read Time: 3 min

A Primer on Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts

"I’m proud to pay taxes in the United States; the only thing is, I could be just as proud for half the money."
Entertainer Arthur Godfrey

The irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) can be an important estate strategy tool that may accomplish a number of estate objectives; however, it may not be appropriate for every individual.1,2

What Is an ILIT?

An ILIT is created by an individual (the grantor) during his or her lifetime. The ILIT owns a life insurance policy on the grantor’s life via the transfer of ownership of an existing policy or through the grantor’s annual contribution of cash to pay the premiums on a policy purchased by the trust.3

The grantor designates beneficiaries, usually family members, who will typically receive the proceeds upon the death of the grantor.

The trust is irrevocable, meaning that the grantor forfeits all rights to the property contained in the trust. Its irrevocable nature is integral to accomplishing the ILIT’s objectives.

What Can an ILIT Accomplish?

The ILIT may be able to accomplish several estate objectives, including:

  1. Meeting liquidity needs;
  2. Managing estate taxation on the policy proceeds;
  3. Providing income to survivors.

How Does an ILIT Work?

When you die, the trust is designed to receive a payment equal to the policy coverage amount, e.g., $500,000. Since the trust’s ownership of the policy is irrevocable, the proceeds are not considered your property. Consequently, they do not fall into your estate, thus potentially avoiding estate taxation. (Remember, generally no income tax is due on such life insurance proceeds.)4

The trust provisions should be set up to provide direction about how and to whom payments may be made. You may direct that the trust pay out cash to cover certain expenses, e.g., funeral costs, probate, taxes, final medical expenses, and debts.

This may obviate the need to sell less liquid assets at an inopportune time to cover such costs.

The trust’s beneficiaries may receive the proceeds (after any payments are made to satisfy liquidity needs), creating an inheritance free of estate taxes. Finally, creditors should not be able to attack these assets since they belong to the trust, not you.

Creating an ILIT should be done only with the assistance of a qualified estate planning attorney. It is a complicated exercise in which mistakes may result in losing the benefits ILITs offer.

1. Using a trust involves a complex set of tax rules and regulations. Before moving forward with a trust, consider working with a professional who is familiar with the rules and regulations.
2. Several factors will affect the cost and availability of life insurance, including age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased. Life insurance policies have expenses, including mortality and other charges. If a policy is surrendered prematurely, the policyholder also may pay surrender charges and have income tax implications. You should consider determining whether you are insurable before implementing a strategy involving life insurance. Any guarantees associated with a policy are dependent on the ability of the issuing insurance company to continue making claim payments.
3. Investopedia.com, 2021
4. This is a hypothetical example used for illustrative purposes only. It is not representative of any specific estate or estate strategy. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

Share |

Have A Question About This Topic?

Thank you! Oops!

Related Content

Directors and Officers Liability Insurance

Directors and Officers Liability Insurance

Not only can D&O insurance provide financial protection, but it can help improve an organization’s decision-making.

When Does Your Personal Car Become a Commercial Vehicle?

When Does Your Personal Car Become a Commercial Vehicle?

At what point can you call a personal vehicle commercial?

How Will Working Affect Social Security Benefits?

How Will Working Affect Social Security Benefits?

Knowing the rules may help you decide when to start benefits.

Contact

Office: 978.777.6554

Fax: 978.777.6560

150A Andover Street

Suite 2

Danvers, MA 01923

Series 6, 7, 24, 26, 63, 66

rcella@ipswichfinancial.com

Quick Links

  • Retirement
  • Investment
  • Estate
  • Insurance
  • Tax
  • Money
  • Lifestyle
  • All Articles
  • All Videos
  • All Calculators
  • All Presentations

Check the background of your financial professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. Some of this material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named representative, broker - dealer, state - or SEC - registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.

We take protecting your data and privacy very seriously. As of January 1, 2020 the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) suggests the following link as an extra measure to safeguard your data: Do not sell my personal information.

Copyright 2023 FMG Suite.

Securities and investment advice offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. Ipswich Bay Advisors and LPL Financial are separate entities.  

Ed Slott is not affiliated with LPL Financial and Ipswich Bay Advisors.