Updated: June 2024
A supposed “wealth transfer” is occurring. How do rich people pass on their fortunes to their heirs? What can you learn from them?
A whopping $84 trillion in assets will trickle down to Millennials and Generation X. Families should (hopefully) put a lot of thought and planning into how that wealth will be passed down.
This is even more true for uber-wealthy families.
It’s no secret that Millennials and Generation Z are two generations that have been beset with financial and economic struggles: student loans, high inflation, housing, and low job prospects all paint a bleak economic future for both generations. This is why many members of the younger generations are scrambling to make money through “side hustles,” living with roommates for a lot longer, live longer at home, and scrimp and save as much as possible.
The Importance of Estate Planning
Passing on wealth to the next generation
This is where the importance of passing down your inheritance comes in:
For a lucky few (we’re talking a very small minority of people on the planet), they have had the good fortune to inherit wealth. The small minority of lucky (wealthy) Millennials and members of GenZ may face other problems when it comes to receiving their assets: they may inherit less than they actually believe. Taxes and other estate fees may eat up their inheritance. Here is how you can learn from the uber wealthy: a study of 270 individuals from families with $50 million showed that some of the most important lessons on wealth planning are as follows:
The Most Common Challenges in Wealth Succession
Managing tax liabilities while transferring your assets can significantly impact (i.e. diminish) the wealth passed on to heirs. This means that proper estate planning and a good strategy for passing down wealth are of the utmost importance. In fact, 33% of respondents to a survey said that COVID-19 lead to more frequent conversations about their familial wealth.
78% of people reported having unplanned conversations about wealth, which didn’t go well at all. 26% of of those respondents actually regretted having those conversations. Ouch!
Managing Family Dynamics:
The above stat shows why families with strained relationships, conflicting values, and differing values all complicate the process of transferring wealth. This is where the strategies for successful wealth succession come in: asset preservation, safeguarding your assets from economic downturns, and preparing your heirs for the future are all important (it’s especially important in this day and age, where inflation is at a 40-year high.)
Younger Canadians are navigating an economic labyrinth filled with financial challenges; many strive to achieve financial security in the face of rising housing prices, significant student loan debts, and a competitive job market. All of these factors culminate to give many millennials and Gen Z individuals anxiety about their futures. Forget retirement: many Millennials and members of Gen Z are just trying to survive. Unless the economic landscape changes soon, many Canadians may end up leaving for our neighbours to the south (or make the trek to other countries around the world).
Strategies for Successful Wealth Succession:
Estate planning is the basic cornerstone of wealth succession for affluent families (and not-so-affluent families). This involves creating a comprehensive strategy to manage and distribute assets upon death (or in some cases, while the heirs are alive), which you can read about here.
Wills: This is a no-brainer: everyone should have a Last Will and Testament, and if you need a basic Last Will drawn up, see here as to how we can help you with that. These are legally-binding documents to help specify how your assets should be distributed and managed upon your death.
Other things an Estate Plan should include:
Asset protection: optimise your tax strategy by utilising tax-efficient strategies to minimise estate taxes. That will allow you to maximise your wealth and increase the amount of money that your loved ones get. That may include receiving professional financial advice, if you need it.
Family Relationships:
This should be a no-brainer, but having these conversations about money can elicit feelings of anger, sadness, confusion, and other strong emotions. If you’re going to sit down and have these (uncomfortable) conversations about money, you’d better be prepared for some crying, anger (possibly screaming, yelling), and maybe even threats of physical violence. One way to handle this is through annual family meetings: gather everyone to discuss your estate plans, long-term goals, and how you want your assets to be managed after you’re gone. A good discussion to air things out may help clarify any ambiguity regarding your estate.
Philanthropy and Charitable Giving:
Many affluent families engage in philanthropy, passing on their wealth to worthy charitable causes. This is their way of leaving behind a positive impact on society upon their deaths. You can see this with wealthy celebrities who have left everything to charity, rather than to loved ones. There are celebrities who believe that their own children should work for their own money (usually with the help of their parent’s connections, of course.) Funnelling money through family foundations or charitable trusts can seamlessly support charitable causes and engage heirs in charitable giving. In other words, having your heirs involved in charitable giving and distributing that money may keep the children of the uber-wealthy from being spoiled brats who live off their inheritance.
Financial Education and Mentorship:
Rich people, just like everyone else, don’t want to see their wealth squandered. They may also prepare the younger generation with lessons about financial literacy at a young age. Of course, this involves networking and connections (probably connections that many of us don’t have).
Life Insurance:
Life insurance can serve as an effective tool for wealth succession. It’s essentially a viable, tax-efficient way to transfer wealth to heirs. Life Insurance can also be used as a way to pay off taxes on real estate.
Estate Tax Planning:
Estate taxes can significantly erode the wealth people have accumulated in their estate. For wealthy people, this is where estate planning attorneys/tax experts come into play: they help minimise tax liabilities. That isn’t what you want, right? You may want to do the same and talk to an estate planning lawyer when you are settling your estate. You may also want to start with our estate planning articles, here.
Wealth Transfer Laws:
Wealthy families have to stay informed about new laws and tax regulations. They adapt and adjust plans accordingly. Regardless of your income level, you should follow suit and adapt by staying informed with the laws surrounding tax regulations.
Preparing the next generation:
Rich people don’t want their money to be blown – there is some evidence to show that by the third generation, inherited wealth ends up squandered. You too can avoid having your money (and estate) squandered by emphasising the importance of your heirs (and their children) about managing their money, consistently educating themselves on changes to the laws, and learning how to spend money wisely.
You can start this entire journey by creating a Will, Power of Attorney or a Living Will for yourself. You can start here. Wealth succession is a complex process that extends beyond the transfer of financial assets. You have to balance your assets, estate, family relations, philanthropy, etc. Managing all of this almost appears to be a full-time job. You can learn from wealthy families by making sure that your own heirs are up for the job.