High-Net-Worth Individuals and Estate Planning Under Trump

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Estate planning is a critical aspect of financial management. It ensures that your wealth is preserved and transferred according to your wishes. However, with President Donald Trump back in the White House, potential policy shifts could significantly impact your current estate planning strategies. While no concrete changes have been made at this time, understanding the Trump administration’s past policies and campaign proposals can help you proactively adjust your current plan.

One of the most significant potential changes under Trump’s administration could involve the federal estate tax. During his previous term, Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, which doubled the estate tax exemption from about $5.5 million per individual to $11.18 million. When adjusted for inflation, the exemption has climbed to $13.99 million in 2025.

However, this increase is set to sunset in 2026, reverting to pre-2018 levels. The new administration may push to extend or even eliminate the federal estate tax altogether. If this happens, high-net-worth individuals may need to reassess their estate plans, focusing less on tax-avoidance strategies such as trusts and gifting and more on wealth preservation.

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As the future of the federal estate tax hangs in the balance, individuals should continue to monitor legislative developments related to estate tax policy. If the exemption remains high, it might be necessary to consider revising complex tax-avoidance structures. If tax rates increase, it might be a good idea to explore gifting strategies or irrevocable trusts before the changes actually take effect.

Since lifetime gift and estate tax exemptions are closely linked, any changes made to the estate tax could also impact the gifting strategies you may currently have in place. Under the TCJA, individuals could gift significant assets without incurring gift taxes. But, if Trump seeks to maintain the current exemption levels or eliminate the estate tax, gifting may become a less urgent concern for many families. However, if exemption levels decrease, or if Democrats regain control of Congress in the fall of 2026 and push for estate tax hikes, individuals may want to take advantage of gifting before new laws take effect.

What to do now

To prepare, folks should consider making larger gifts now to lock in current exemption levels. You can also utilize the annual gift exclusions, which is $19,000 per recipient in 2025, to minimize future estate tax liability. Consider working with an estate planning attorney to reassess trust structures and gifting schedules.

Another point of discussion in regard to tax policy has been the step-up basis rule. This rule allows inherited assets to be valued at their fair market value upon the owner’s death. While no changes were made to this policy during the president’s first term, discussions surrounding capital gains taxation could resurface.

If Trump pursues capital gains tax cuts or maintains the step-up in basis, individuals may find it advantageous to hold appreciated assets rather than gifting them during their lifetime. Conversely, if there are shifts in capital gains taxation, proactive selling or restructuring of assets may be necessary.

To ensure you’re prepared, make sure you’re informed about potential changes to the step-up in basis and capital gains tax and consider the timing of asset sales or transfers based on anticipated tax changes. A financial adviser or tax professional can also help you determine the best approach for minimizing capital gains liabilities.

What to know about trusts

Many estate planning strategies involve the use of trusts, such as grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs) and dynasty trusts. Depending on Trump’s tax policies, these tools may become more or less relevant. If estate tax exemptions remain high or if tax burdens decrease, simpler estate plans may be viable.

However, if exemptions drop or if Biden-era proposals, such as limiting the duration of dynasty trusts, gain traction, more advanced strategies may be needed to protect generational wealth.

If your estate plan utilizes trusts, you’ll want to make sure they align with changing tax laws. It may be helpful to set up irrevocable trusts before potential restrictions take place since the terms of these trusts can be very difficult to change or dissolve. You can also explore life insurance strategies to provide liquidity for estate tax obligations.

While federal estate tax laws often dominate discussions, it’s crucial to consider state-level estate and inheritance taxes. Some states impose their own estate taxes with much lower exemption limits than the federal government. If federal estate tax laws become more favorable, states with high estate tax burdens may see an increase in wealth migration.

Start reviewing state-level estate tax laws and explore potential migration options. A tax professional can also help you develop strategies that can minimize your state-level tax exposure. Another option is to relocate to a state that doesn’t have estate or inheritance taxes, though this is not a viable option for everyone.

What to know about inherited retirement accounts

Changes to estate planning laws may also affect retirement account strategies. Under the SECURE Act of 2019, most non-spouse beneficiaries must withdraw inherited retirement account funds within 10 years, potentially accelerating tax liabilities. Trump may seek further reforms to retirement tax structures, which could influence how individuals plan their estate distributions.

In the meantime, it’s important to review the beneficiary designations listed on your retirement accounts and explore Roth conversions to minimize tax burdens on heirs. Charitable remainder trusts or other tools for tax-efficient retirement asset transfers should also be considered.

While estate planning always requires foresight, Trump’s return to the White House introduces new considerations. Tax policy shifts, regulatory changes and economic factors will all influence the best strategies for wealth preservation and transfer.

Consulting with estate planning professionals and staying informed about legislative developments is key to making informed decisions. By proactively adjusting estate plans in response to changing policies, individuals and families can ensure their wealth is protected and distributed according to their wishes, regardless of political shifts.

Disclaimer

This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA.

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Ronald “Skip” Skolnik has spent over 22 years working in the senior and financial services industry. After working with many firms that cater to the unique needs and demands of our aging society, he dedicated his career to helping older adults successfully and confidently transition into their golden years. Skip has been published in MarketWatch, AARP, CBS News and other publications. Skip is dedicated to developing lasting relationships with all of his clients. He believes education is the key to helping each person become confident in assessing his or her financial goals and participating in the financial management process.