Wealth creation: estate equalization | Private Client Services by Mercer

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An insurance application to equally divide assets and pass to the next generation whilst preserving long term family harmony and business continuity.

When planning for distribution of estate, a parent may wish to leave the family business to one or more of their children. It is common for a parent to groom one child to take over their place in the family business. But what happens to the other siblings?

Family businesses face the risk of being dissolved because of disputes over inheritances following the passing of the founder. This is especially true when not all family members are actively involved in the business.

Life Insurance for Estate Equalisation Benefits

To Beneﬁciaries

Maintains trust and conﬁdence amongst beneﬁciaries by preventing family dispute over inheritance
Provides ﬁnancial security for beneﬁciaries who are not interested in the family business
Provides liquidity to make payment to heirs who are not active in business thus avoiding the need to liquidate the business
Effectively increases the value of the assets that can be distributed among heirs

To the Business

Protects the value of the estate by avoiding the sale of the business
Promotes long-term value creation by minimizing business disruption
Facilitates the continuity and growth of the family business since it does not need to be split between beneﬁciaries who may not be interested in the business
Supports succession planning

Case Study

Assume Mr. XYZ, 50 years old, male, has 3 kids. He runs a family business that is worth USD15M and has other accumulated assets worth USD20M. However, only one of his children is interested in inheriting and running the family business.

With Life Insurance

Without Life Insurance

Assume Mr. XYZ buys a HNW Insurance Policy with Sum Assured of USD15M for a Premium of USD5M.

Advantages

Beneﬁciaries receive Equal Shares

This approach will ensure that each beneﬁciary receives an amount equal to the value of the business as share of inheritance(i.e. the family business or family assets as applicable).
A life insurance policy is purchased to ensure that the estate is distributed equally whilst ensuring each member of the family is treated fairly.

Beneﬁciaries receive Equal Amounts

This approach will increase the total estate size so that each beneﬁciary receives an identical amount based on an assumed future growth.
The members of the family with an interest in running the family business will be able to inherit it, while other members are bequeathed with an equivalent value to the estate derived from the life insurance policy.

Value Creation

Estate equalisation is a very useful application of life insurance in HNW families with more than one intended beneficiary as it allows inheritance to be properly divided equally in an optimal manner. This preserves long term family harmony and unity. For the family business, if there is one, it means business continuity for years and even generations to come.

insights Wealth creation: estate equalisation