Private pensions. A less taxing alternative.

The results of the Joneses' coordinated retirement income and estate planning strategies are as follows: 1. The Joneses maximized their estate assets by converting an inefficient estate asset (the qualified retirement plan) into an efficient estate asset (the income-tax-free death benefit) without jeopardizing their current or future standard of living or the value passed on to their heirs. This allows them to satisfy their conflicting objectives. 2. They added flexibility to their future family gifting plans by providing themselves a secure income for the rest of their lives. 3. They fulfilled their desire to protect their family against government confiscation of retirement plan assets in the event they both die before using all their qualified retirement assets. This private pension plan strategy is obviously not available to everyone, nor is it appropriate for everyone. This solution worked well for this client, but everyone's situation is unique. Before creating such a plan, it is important to review all the factors in an individual's financial picture, including financial and retirement objectives and investment risk tolerance. Although this is an innovative idea that may solve a pension dilemma, it should not be used in place of qualified retirement plans but, rather, used in conjunction with such a plan. The private pension plan does not work with all insurance products or all insurance companies. Choosing the right company and product for each client requires care and expertise.

Qualified retirement plans. Yours may be worth just 17 on the dollar.

In summary, let's review the result of the Joneses' coordinated retirement income and estate planning strategy: 1. The Joneses maximized their estate assets, converting an inefficient estate asset to an efficient estate asset, without jeopardizing their current or future standard of living. 2. They committed to a gifting program for only 10 years, after which they have the flexibility to continue gifting the trust or to retain all the current IRA income. 3. They are free to "consume" their other taxable assets during their lifetimes without worrying about saving something for their three children. The Wealth Replacement Trust will leave approximately $1 million for each child. This strategy is obviously not available to everyone, nor is it applicable to everyone. While this solution worked extremely well for these clients, everyone's situation is different. Every situation needs a professional and personalized plan based upon individual objectives. Only after objectives have been clearly identified and alternatives thoroughly explored can a suitable solution be identified. It is important that a thorough review of the entire financial picture be performed by a competent financial planning team before you attempt to correct a potential problem. Make certain your advisers are familiar with solving this type of problem so as not to create additional problems.