Insights
Client Alert
Seizing Wealth Transfer Opportunities in a Low Interest Rate Environment
June 23, 2008
Jeffrey P. Geida and Renee M. Gabbard
In the past few months, the Federal Reserve has embarked on a program of cutting interest rates as a way to stimulate the economy, resulting in a period of low interest rates. The Federal Reserve has recently indicated that its days of rate cutting might soon be over. This current low interest rate environment presents unique wealth transfer opportunities including Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) and Sales to Grantor Trusts. GRATs and Sales to Grantor Trusts allow entrepreneurs, private equity investors, and high net worth individuals the opportunity to pass large amounts of wealth to children, grandchildren and charities, gift and estate tax free.