Working with a financial professional puts clients in a unique financial position, allowing them to focus on wealth accumulation today and shift that focus to long-term estate planning tomorrow. This session explores proactive planning techniques that help your clients lay the groundwork for future wealth preservation while putting your business in a position to retain clients generationally.  Learn how to implement strategies like layering life insurance for income protection and tax-efficient growth, leveraging trusts for flexibility and control, and introducing tools to address eventual estate tax concerns. Attendees will leave equipped with practical approaches to guide their clients through critical financial milestones, preparing them for sophisticated planning as their wealth grows, all while putting their business in a position to grow along with their clients. By the end of this session learners will be able to: Identify key planning milestones that signal a shift from wealth accumulation to estate preservation. Apply strategies such as layering life insurance to balance income protection and tax-efficient growth. Evaluate the use of trusts to enhance flexibility, control, and long-term legacy planning. Introduce estate tax planning tools proactively as client needs evolve. Position their advisory practice for long-term growth by aligning with clients' changing financial priorities.   Read more

Washington remains the only state in the nation that has a publicly-funded long-term care program, WA Cares. Join Ben Veghte, Director of the WA Cares Fund and Melissa Bova, SVP of State Affairs & Policy at Finseca to learn about the current state of WA Cares, what changes may be coming to the program in the future and how the private sector can become a key partner in state long-term care funding efforts. By the end of this session learners will be able to: Understand the current structure and goals of Washington’s WA Cares long-term care program. Identify potential legislative and policy changes that could impact WA Cares in the near future. Explore how private sector entities can collaborate with public programs to support long-term care funding. Evaluate the broader implications of state-level long-term care initiatives for clients and financial professionals.   Read more

With the possible 2025 sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act looming, financial professionals are facing growing uncertainty in tax, estate, and retirement planning. In this session, Brandon Buckingham will walk through key provisions, what’s at stake for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, and how professionals can guide planning conversations today without knowing what tomorrow holds. From exemption reductions to income tax shifts to retirement plan implications, this session will equip you with flexible, durable strategies that can adapt to change. By the end of this session learners will be able to: Understand key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) set to sunset in 2025 and their implications for high-net-worth clients. Identify potential risks and opportunities in estate, income, and retirement planning tied to tax law changes. Explore flexible strategies that can adapt to a shifting tax landscape. Gain practical tools to initiate proactive planning conversations with clients amid legislative uncertainty.   Read more

Ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) families recognize the importance of multi-generational wealth planning and communication, yet many struggle with meaningful discussions about family values, legacy and generational access to wealth. This session explores the psychology behind these discussions and the balance between long term wealth stewardship and the needs of the rising generation to fund current family expenses. Learn how to provide actionable techniques for the Advance Markets practitioner to help your clients define their family values and purpose; address emotional and behavioral barriers; and position planning as an opportunity rather than a burden across multiple generations. Then, through case studies, discover specific planning processes that address some of the most common planning needs our speakers are seeing today. You will leave the session prepared to bring value beyond your technical expertise. By the end of this session learners will be able to: Understand the psychological dynamics and emotional barriers that affect multi-generational wealth discussions in ultra-high-net-worth families. Develop strategies to facilitate meaningful conversations around family values, legacy, and the balance between long-term wealth stewardship and current family needs. Learn actionable techniques to help clients define and communicate their family values and purpose effectively across generations. Apply case study insights to design tailored planning processes that meet common multi-generational wealth planning challenges. Enhance your advisory role by positioning wealth planning as an opportunity to create lasting family impact beyond technical financial solutions.   Read more

Phantom stock plans offer private companies a powerful tool to attract, retain, and reward key executives without diluting ownership—but designing these plans effectively requires careful structuring. This session explores the different phantom stock and synthetic equity plans, how they work and how each pan can be designed to accomplish the client’s objectives. The session will cover the key aspects of Full Value Unit (FVU) and Stock Appreciation Rights (SAR) plan, how the awards are granted over time and how to analyze the desired financial benefit for the employee(s). It will also cover how life insurance can play a crucial role in funding and managing the liabilities associated with phantom stock arrangements to provide liquidity for future payouts, mitigate financial risk and enhance plan sustainability. Through real-world examples, we will examine how to structure these long-term incentive plans (LTIP), review key tax and accounting considerations and define implementation strategies to help business owners create compelling, LTIPs that align executives with company growth. By the end of this session learners will be able to: Identify the key features and types of phantom stock and synthetic equity plans, including Full Value Unit (FVU) and Stock Appreciation Rights (SAR) plans. Explain how phantom stock awards are granted and structured over time to meet specific client objectives. Analyze the financial benefits and liabilities associated with phantom stock plans from both the company’s and employee’s perspectives. Describe how life insurance can be utilized to fund phantom stock liabilities and improve plan sustainability. Evaluate tax and accounting considerations relevant to phantom stock and synthetic equity plans. Develop implementation strategies to design and execute long-term incentive plans that align executives’ interests with company growth and retention goals.   Read more

Managing in-force premium finance arrangements requires robust reporting and analysis so advisors can provide guidance on the best ways to optimize the program. This session takes a case-study-driven approach, analyzing actual client scenarios, where premium finance programs need to be actively managed. We will explore the impact of fluctuating interest rates, collateral requirements, policy performance, and loan details, and share ideas on how best to manage these components. Attendees will gain the insights and technical expertise necessary to proactively manage in-force premium finance portfolios and ensure long-term sustainability in dynamic economic conditions. By the end of this session learners will be able to: Identify the key components of in-force premium finance portfolio management, including the roles of client cash flow, collateral, and loan terms. Evaluate the impact of interest rate changes on premium finance strategies and how to communicate those effects effectively in annual client reviews. Interpret performance metrics and spread analysis between loan rates and policy returns, and apply that analysis to assess the ongoing viability of financed insurance strategies. Compare baseline and downside projection scenarios to guide clients through strategic decision-making regarding additional funding, risk exposure, and policy performance. Implement best practices for client servicing and communication, including policy review cadences, underwriting updates, and managing evolving estate planning goals.   Read more