Wealth transfer strategies: How to leave assets to your loved ones

The U.S. is on the brink of the largest wealth transfer in history, with an estimated $72.6 trillion expected to pass to beneficiaries by 2045. If you’re planning to leave money, property or valuables to loved ones, now is the time to explore wealth transfer strategies.

Whether through a simple will or more complex trusts, there are options for every financial situation. While setting up a plan requires thoughtful legal and financial guidance, effective wealth transfer strategies are essential for preserving and potentially growing family assets for future generations. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

Starting January 1, 2026, the amount you can pass on to your loved ones without estate or gift tax is permanently set at $15 million per person, or $30 million for a married couple. These higher limits are tied to inflation, which means they’ll continue to adjust over time. This change gives families more flexibility and room to plan for the future.

The new law removes the pressure of a looming deadline, these higher exemption amounts don’t have a built-in expiration. That said, tax laws always can change down the road. Taking time now to review your estate plan helps ensure it stays strong no matter what may come.

Learn more about other changes that are part of the next tax act

The key to transferring wealth is setting up processes in advance to ensure your money and possessions seamlessly go to the people you’ve chosen after your death. Without preparation, assets can become subject to disputes, fees, penalties or delays, reducing their value. With thoughtful financial planning, you can avoid these issues and explore effective ways to pass on your wealth to your loved ones. Consider these wealth transfer strategies:

Naming beneficiaries on any of your accounts, assets and life insurance contracts is the easiest and most efficient way to transfer wealth. It enables the administrator of the estate to follow through on the wishes of the deceased immediately without the need to go through the probate process. Those investments that don't have a provision for a beneficiary need to be listed in the will. To ensure you have beneficiaries listed on your accounts or contracts, contact each financial institution. You also will want to make sure they are up to date as life changes.

Legally executed wills are the most widespread wealth transfer strategy. A will allows you to document in detail who will receive each of your assets, but it doesn't take effect until you pass away. As part of the preparation, you name an executor who will carry out your wishes. It will be their responsibility to take care of your affairs, including being the voice of your interests in probate court if it's required.

Many states require wills to go through probate court, usually based on the value of the assets being distributed. This process can be lengthy and costly for your beneficiaries. Many people look to avoid probate court by using other wealth transfer strategies.

Creating a trust can be another way to transfer assets to your loved ones. A trust is a legal arrangement that allows a trustee to hold assets on behalf of a beneficiary. Trusts can give you more control over how and when your assets are distributed, and they also can help minimize estate taxes and avoid probate.

Trusts and other strategies—like SLATs, GRATs, ILITs or charitable giving vehicles—still play an important role, even under the higher estate tax exemption. These tools give you options to protect your family, manage taxes and make sure your wishes are carried out with care.

Depending on your goals, you can choose from several types of trusts, each designed to meet different needs for protecting your family and your legacy.

• Grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs). GRATs allow the trustor (also called a grantor) to transfer assets to the trust in exchange for annuity payments until the trust terminates. At the end of the term, anything remaining is given to the beneficiaries.

• Intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs). IDGTs are similar to GRATs, but instead of receiving annuity payments, you can sell your assets to the trust in exchange for interest-only payments. The interest rate is determined by the applicable federal rate (AFR) published monthly by the IRS. Many trustors sell assets to an IDGT instead of transferring them so they can minimize their gift tax liability.

• Spousal lifetime access trusts (SLATs). SLATs are trusts set up for your spouse or other beneficiaries. The grantor spouse can fund the trust with assets to be held for the benefit of the non-donor spouse. Once the trust terminates, the assets will go to the beneficiaries of the trust, who are oftentimes the children. One advantage is that the appreciation on the assets transferred are not counted toward either spouse's estate.

• Charitable lead annuity trusts (CLATs). With a CLAT, you can make fixed payments to preferred charities over the term of the trust. Once the trust expires, the remaining assets are distributed to your beneficiaries. The amount passed to your beneficiaries depends on the growth of the assets.

• Irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs). ILITs are trusts that hold life insurance policies. You can transfer the life insurance policy to the trust or have a life insurance policy opened in the name of the trust. With an ILIT, you can add more conditions around how the death benefit is used, compared to a life insurance policy outside of a trust.

You can loan assets to family members in exchange for a promissory note. The interest payments received will be based on the Applicable Federal Rate. The AFR is typically lower than commercial interest rates, allowing you to loan money to your family under more favorable terms. If the assets appreciate significantly, this can be an effective way to transfer significant wealth.

Nearly any asset, like money or stocks, can be given as a gift. Many donors choose to gift annually to take advantage of the annual gift tax exemption. Individuals can gift up to $19,000 in 2025 without paying a gift tax. Giving toward 529 plans and accounts created under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMAs) are examples of gifting.

• 529 plans are investment accounts for qualified education expenses. Contribution limits vary by state. In addition, the contributions are considered gifts. You can even pre-pay up to 5 years worth of gifts.^*

• UTMAs are custodial accounts that an adult sets up and controls for a minor until the minor becomes an adult. Contributions to UTMAs are subject to the annual gift exclusion. The account must be turned over to the beneficiary once they reach the "custodial termination age" for that state. There is no stipulation on how the money is used, however it only can be used on behalf of the beneficiary.

The nuances of gift and estate taxes that accompany various wealth transfer strategies can be complex. It's wise to consult with a certified public accountant in partnership with your financial advisor to understand the most tax-efficient plan for your financial situation.

Estate planning documents

Estate planning helps ensure your intentions will be honored. Through careful planning, you can feel confident your assets will go to the people you choose, at the time you choose, with as little impact from taxes as possible.


Learn which documents are essential

After deciding on the right wealth transfer strategy, the next step is making it a reality. But passing on assets is about more than drafting a will and distributing cash. It’s an opportunity to strengthen relationships with your beneficiaries, build trust and share the values, goals, and lessons that shaped your legacy. When paired with a well-thought-out financial plan, this holistic approach ensures a meaningful and successful transfer of wealth.

When passing on your assets, it's important to think about what success looks like to you. How would you like to see your wealth affecting the lives of others? When you know the answer to this question, consider sharing it with your heirs. Passing on your aspirations is more likely to inspire the recipients of the wealth to continue to steward it well.

Ensure your beneficiaries also understand the values and purpose that have carried you through life. What are the social, economic and philanthropic values that guide you? How do you imagine these values carrying on after you're gone?

Similarly, get to know what's important to your beneficiaries. Have conversations about their interests and aspirations. What do they see as their mission in life? Is there an intersection with what matters to you?

As you have conversations with your loved ones, you may become aware of areas where they need more financial experience. Whether it's diving into the intricacies of the family business or the ins and outs of certain investment types, it's worth making sure your beneficiaries get the education they need. Courses and other formal training, mentors and financial professionals also can help prepare them for their newfound financial responsibilities.

Choosing, constructing and executing a successful wealth transfer plan well often requires the help of experts. You should have a financial advisor, an estate planning attorney and an accountant who can work in tandem. Together, this team can help you create a plan that suits your goals, assets and family structure. While Thrivent does not provide specific legal or tax advice, we can partner with you and your tax professional or attorney.

The right financial advisor also can help you review your plan periodically, offering advice on how to update it after significant life changes, such as a death in the family or the birth of a child.

You will want to work with your estate planning attorney to complete any necessary paperwork. An attorney will ensure your documents are legally valid and notarized. Keep all key wealth transfer documentation in a secure and central location—and make sure your beneficiaries know where these items are.

Every family has particular goals and challenges to address when figuring out the best way to pass along assets to the next generation. But in general, the most successful wealth transfer plans avoid these missteps:

• Leaving estate planning to your loved ones. When you don't articulate how you want your wealth distributed, you're leaving that decision to your loved ones. If they disagree with each other, family infighting around who receives what often ends up in court, where court fees eat away at the value of your assets. Potentially even more damaging is the lasting impact this has on family relationships.

• Transferring too much to one person. Being left with large amounts of wealth can be daunting, leaving beneficiaries feeling overwhelmed and unable to meet expectations. And if they disagree with any conditions of the wealth transfer—such as attending a certain college or working for the family business—they may outright rebel.

• Underestimating the taxes on your estate. Once wealth is distributed, many beneficiaries are shocked by their tax bill. Even with more generous exemptions, the 40% estate tax rate still applies to assets above the limits. Though estate taxes are not always completely avoidable, the best wealth transfer strategies work to minimize this tax liability.
  

• Failing to keep documents up to date. Changes to the family structure can create confusion if an estate plan isn't updated. The court may have to intervene and make decisions that should have been yours if information is missing or inconsistent.

Wealth transfer strategies are essential if you want your family's wealth to endure for generations. But true success goes beyond passing on assets—it’s about passing on the values that built that wealth. Start by working with professionals to create a financial plan, but also engage with the loved ones you’ve chosen as beneficiaries. Sharing your principles and vision is just as important as securing your financial legacy.

Mindful planning is the key to protecting and preserving your family’s wealth, ensuring it continues to make a positive impact for years to come. Connect with a Thrivent financial advisor today to get started.