The $84 Trillion Shift: Planning for the Great Wealth Transfer
A concise, mobile-friendly infographic guide to family meetings, simple estate planning, taxes, philanthropy, and the rise of private-market access for retail investors.
*Approximate; thresholds and rules can change. Consult a qualified professional.
Quick Summary
- Start early: Simple beats perfect. A basic will, POA, and healthcare directive prevent chaos.
- Talk openly: Family meetings align goals, values, and responsibilities before money moves.
- Be tax‑smart: Trusts, gifting, and charitable tools help preserve more for people and causes.
- Diversify wisely: Private assets are becoming accessible—but illiquidity and complexity rise.
- Legacy = money + meaning: Pass down systems, literacy, and values—not just assets.
First 7 Steps for Families
- Schedule a family meeting (agenda: goals, roles, docs, succession, philanthropy).
- Create a master list of accounts, policies, passwords, advisors, and key documents.
- Draft or update your will, financial POA, and healthcare directive.
- Review beneficiary designations on 401(k), IRA, and life insurance.
- Decide on trusts (revocable vs. irrevocable) with an attorney’s guidance.
- Outline business succession (operating agreement, buy‑sell, funding, roles).
- Write a brief family mission statement to guide decisions and giving.
Estate Planning Checklist
- Will, POA, healthcare directive ready
- Assets & debts inventoryed
- Beneficiaries verified
- Trust structure selected
- Insurance and liquidity reviewed
- Philanthropy strategy defined
- Key contacts documented
Taxes & Trusts: Keep More of What You Built
What to Know
- Estate tax: Current exemption ~$14M/person (~$28M for spouses) — subject to change.
- Step‑up in basis: Heirs may get a step‑up on appreciated assets held at death (rules vary).
- Gifting: Annual exclusion gifts and strategic lifetime gifts can reduce taxable estates.
Trusts in Brief
- Revocable Trust: Flexible, avoids probate, no tax sheltering by itself.
- Irrevocable Trust: Less flexible; can provide asset protection and potential tax benefits.
- Spendthrift / Discretionary: Controls distributions; protects heirs from creditors or themselves.
Coordinate with an estate attorney and tax advisor—rules are nuanced and change over time.
Philanthropy: Taxes Down, Impact Up
Donor‑Advised Funds
Contribute now, invest and grant later. Potential deduction in the year of contribution.
Charitable Trusts
CRT/CLT structures can blend income for family with long‑term gifts to charities.
Bequests
Simple will language directs a percentage or amount to organizations you value.
Private Markets Are Opening—Proceed with Care
Retail access to private equity, hedge funds, and private credit is growing (even limited 401(k) exposure). But these assets can be illiquid, complex, and fee‑heavy.
Smart Guardrails
- Cap allocation (e.g., 10–20% of investable assets based on your profile).
- Understand lock‑ups, capital calls, and valuation methods.
- Prefer managers with transparent reporting, audited track records, and alignment of interests.
Access ≠ suitability. Match to goals, horizon, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs.
90‑Day Action Plan
Days 1–7
- Set the family meeting; pick a facilitator.
- Start asset, debt, and document inventory.
- Gather advisor contacts and account credentials.
Days 8–45
- Draft will, POA, healthcare directive.
- Review beneficiaries and insurance coverage.
- Outline trust and business‑succession options.
Days 46–90
- Finalize documents with professionals.
- Create philanthropy framework (DAF, bequests).
- Document and share the family mission statement.
FAQ
Do I need a trust?
Not always. Many families start with a will and add a revocable trust to avoid probate or organize complex estates. Irrevocable trusts suit specific tax or protection goals.
We’re not wealthy. Should we still plan?
Yes. Clear documents reduce stress, costs, and conflict—regardless of net worth.
What about taxes changing?
They do. Build a plan that works now and schedule periodic reviews.
Welcome to PyUncut, your daily dose of financial clarity and investing insight.
Today, we’re diving into one of the biggest money movements of our lifetime — the Great Wealth Transfer — a massive shift of $84 trillion from Baby Boomers to younger generations by 2045.
It’s not just a Wall Street story. It’s a Main Street story — one that could reshape family finances, generational wealth, and how you plan your own future.
Let’s break it down.
Segment 1 — The Great Wealth Transfer: What’s Coming
Over the next two decades, Baby Boomers — the wealthiest generation in history — will pass on an estimated $84 trillion in assets.
That includes homes, businesses, investments, and charitable donations.
Much of that wealth will flow to Millennials, Gen X, and Gen Z, with a significant portion also earmarked for charities and nonprofits.
Financial planner Alonso Munoz, from Hamilton Capital Partners, calls it “the biggest wealth transfer ever discussed.”
And with that magnitude comes both opportunity and risk — for families, investors, and financial institutions.
For advisors, this is a once-in-a-generation opening to connect with younger clients.
For families, it’s a wake-up call — a reminder that legacy planning isn’t just for the ultra-rich.
Even modest households stand to benefit from having a clear, simple, and structured plan.
Segment 2 — Why Families Avoid the Conversation
Here’s the reality: Talking about money — especially inheritance — can be deeply emotional.
Parents often hesitate to share details about their wealth.
Children, on the other hand, may not even know the family’s true financial picture.
Munoz says that hesitation is one of the biggest barriers to effective wealth transfer.
Families delay, avoid, and postpone — and by the time they finally act, opportunities for tax planning or business succession may be lost.
That’s why the first step in planning for the Great Wealth Transfer is surprisingly simple:
Start the conversation.
Have a family meeting.
Get everyone in the same room — or on the same Zoom call — and talk openly about goals, responsibilities, and values.
It’s not just about who gets what. It’s about how wealth is handled, why it matters, and what values guide those decisions.
Think of it as a family mission statement for the next generation.
Segment 3 — You Don’t Need to Be Ultra-Wealthy to Plan
Many people think estate planning is only for millionaires with family offices.
That’s simply not true.
Even if you own a small business, a modest home, or have a retirement account, you need a plan.
Without one, your loved ones could face unnecessary taxes, legal fees, or confusion.
Munoz puts it plainly:
“You don’t have to be uber-wealthy to work on an estate plan. Just getting started can make a big difference.”
Start with the basics:
- A will that clearly states your wishes.
- A power of attorney to handle finances if you can’t.
- A healthcare directive to guide medical decisions.
- And if you own a business, a succession plan for who takes over.
The key isn’t complexity — it’s clarity.
A simple plan beats a perfect plan that never gets done.
Segment 4 — How Taxes Fit Into the Picture
When it comes to passing on wealth, taxes can quietly erode everything you’ve built if you’re not prepared.
The good news: The current estate tax threshold in the U.S. is roughly $14 million per person — or $28 million for a married couple.
That gives most families plenty of breathing room before the IRS gets involved.
Still, there are strategies to minimize taxes and protect assets.
Munoz highlights tools like:
- Revocable and irrevocable trusts determine how flexible or permanent your plans are.
- Gifting strategies, where assets are transferred over time to reduce future estate value.
- Charitable giving can both reduce taxes and fulfill a deeper purpose.
The takeaway: Don’t wait for the tax code to change.
Plan early, stay informed, and work with professionals — estate attorneys, financial advisors, and tax specialists — to protect your legacy.
Segment 5 — Charitable Giving: Beyond the Tax Break
One of the more inspiring trends within the wealth transfer is the rise in charitable giving.
Many Boomers are using their wealth to create lasting impact — supporting churches, nonprofits, universities, or community projects.
Munoz describes a “barbell effect”:
Some families lean heavily into philanthropy, donating substantial portions of their estate.
Others remain uncertain about how to structure those gifts — unsure whether to pass money directly to heirs or set up charitable trusts.
Philanthropy, when planned well, offers a double benefit:
You reduce taxes while strengthening your community.
And perhaps more importantly, you model generosity for the next generation.
If you’re considering giving, think strategically:
- Set up a donor-advised fund for ongoing contributions.
- Consider charitable remainder trusts, which provide income for you during life and a gift to charity afterward.
- Or simply include a favorite organization in your will.
Remember: Every dollar you give intentionally becomes part of your family story.
Segment 6 — The Rise of Retail Access to Private Markets
Let’s pivot from estate planning to investing — because the next generation isn’t just inheriting wealth; they’re also redefining how it’s invested.
One of the biggest shifts underway is the democratization of private markets.
Traditionally, investments in private equity, hedge funds, and private credit were limited to institutional investors or the ultra-wealthy.
But that’s changing fast.
Munoz calls it “a push toward democratization” — meaning everyday investors may soon access opportunities that were once off-limits.
Platforms are emerging that allow partial access to private funds or alternative assets.
Even some 401(k) plans are experimenting with limited exposure to these private investments.
But here’s the caution:
Private investments come with unique risks.
They’re often illiquid — meaning your money can be locked up for years.
They require careful due diligence and a long-term mindset.
It’s not the same as trading ETFs on your phone.
For investors curious about diversifying beyond public markets, start small, learn the rules, and focus on transparency.
Because access alone doesn’t guarantee success — understanding does.
Segment 7 — Lessons for the Next Generation
As trillions change hands, this wealth transfer could redefine financial literacy for younger generations.
Here are three takeaways every Millennial and Gen Z investor should remember:
1. Don’t just inherit wealth — inherit wisdom.
Ask questions about how the money was built and what principles guided it.
Financial success without purpose often fades in one generation.
2. Build your own plan early.
Even if you’re not inheriting millions, get in the habit of planning — emergency funds, retirement, insurance, and estate basics.
3. Diversify not just your portfolio, but your purpose.
Invest in assets that align with your values — whether that’s ESG funds, small businesses, or community projects.
Generational wealth isn’t just about passing down money.
It’s about passing down mindsets, systems, and values that make wealth sustainable.
Segment 8 — The Road Ahead
The Great Wealth Transfer isn’t just a statistic — it’s a mirror reflecting where we are as families, as investors, and as a society.
It challenges older generations to plan thoughtfully, communicate openly, and give purposefully.
It challenges younger generations to step up — to learn, to manage, and to grow that wealth responsibly.
The conversation might be uncomfortable at first.
But as Munoz reminds us, “just getting started” can make all the difference.
So if you take one thing away from today’s episode, make it this:
Have that conversation.
Write that will.
Start that plan.
Because wealth unplanned is wealth at risk — and legacy without intention is legacy lost.
That’s all for today’s episode of PyUncut.
If you found this useful, share it with someone who could benefit — a parent, a friend, or that relative who keeps saying, “I’ll get to my estate plan someday.”
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Until next time — keep learning, keep planning, and keep your money working for you.
“PyUncut — Money made simple.”