⚠️ 2026 estate tax cliff: Exemptions drop from $13.61M to ~$7M per person. The window to fund trusts and make gifts is closing fast.
Section overview

Trusts & estate planning — protect, transfer,
and preserve wealth across generations

The most technically sophisticated section on this site — eight pages covering every trust structure and estate planning strategy available for retirement tax mitigation. Two of these strategies are exclusive to this site: the Asset Diversification Trust and the 60-Year Legal IRA Stretch.

8 strategy pages 2 exclusive strategies Ed Slott inherited IRA framework 2026 exemption cliff urgency
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The 2026 estate tax cliff — act now

The TCJA doubled estate tax exemptions — currently $13.61M per individual and $27.22M per married couple. When TCJA sunsets in 2026, these exemptions are scheduled to roughly halve to approximately $7M per person. Trusts funded and gifts made before the sunset lock in the higher exemption permanently.

All 8 strategies — click any to explore
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Asset Diversification Trust (DST)

Defer capital gains on the sale of appreciated real estate, business interests, concentrated stock, or cryptocurrency — and reinvest in a diversified portfolio generating lifetime income.

The 60-year legal IRA stretch

The stretch IRA was eliminated — but a legal structure extends qualified IRA assets across generations, tax-deferred, for up to 60 years. The strategy advisors aren't talking about.

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Inherited IRA & the 10-year rule

The SECURE Act eliminated the stretch IRA. Your heirs could owe full income taxes on your entire IRA within 10 years. Ed Slott's complete playbook for solving this now.

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Charitable remainder trusts (CRT)

Convert a highly appreciated asset into a lifetime income stream while avoiding capital gains tax — and receive a partial charitable deduction in the year of transfer.

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Irrevocable trusts — SLATs, GRATs & ILITs

Three powerful irrevocable structures: SLATs transfer wealth while maintaining spousal access; GRATs shift appreciation tax-free; ILITs remove life insurance from the taxable estate.

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Revocable living trusts

The foundation of most estate plans — avoids probate, maintains privacy, and provides seamless asset transfer at death. Essential infrastructure for any comprehensive estate plan.

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Estate tax planning

Current exemptions, the 2026 sunset cliff, portability, marital deduction, bypass trusts, annual gifting strategies, and state estate tax considerations.

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Irrevocable trusts — overview

Why irrevocability is the price of tax benefits — and why it's worth paying. Grantor vs. non-grantor treatment, gift tax coordination, and the complete taxonomy of irrevocable structures.

Free 2-minute self-assessment

What's Your Retirement Tax Readiness Score?

13 questions. No documents. No jargon. See your exposure to RMD stacking, IRMAA surcharges, and the Widow Tax Penalty — before the IRS shows you.

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Content on TaxMitigation.net is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult a qualified professional before implementing any strategy.