Mercer Advisors
Sharing Knowledge

Question

Why use my lifetime exemption now instead of at death?

Answer

Using your exemption at death shelters a fixed dollar amount. Using it during your lifetime shelters the gifted assets plus all their future growth. For estates above the exemption, that growth could otherwise face federal estate tax at 40%.

Related FAQs

What happens to my gifts if Congress lowers the exemption later?

Which is better: a GRAT or a sale to a grantor trust?

Where can I learn more about tax-free gifting options?
Estate Planning Tax Planning Impact of New Laws OBBBA Generational Wealth Year-Round Tax Planning FAQs
Last Updated Oct. 14, 2026
Previous Next

Further Learning

Women & Wealth Article

What Financial Independence for Women Business Owners Really Means

Women business owners increasingly prioritize flexibility and independence. Learn how liquidity buffers, exit readiness, and coordinated planning can help.

Work & Business Guide

The Tech Founder Preliquidity Planning Timeline: A Five-Year Playbook

A five-year preliquidity planning road map for tech founders covering QSBS stacking, trust structures, state residency, 10b5-1 plans, and diversification.

Trustee Services On-Demand Webinar

Navigating Medicare: Your 2027 Open Enrollment Playbook

Mercer Advisors Colin Day and Chapter’s Ari Parker break down Medicare’s 2027 updates, enrollment steps, and key decisions for retirees.

Family having conversation wiht advisor.
Financial Planning Article

A Family Office for Your Family: A Wealth Tradition Within Reach

The sophisticated, time-tested family office approach used by many ultra-high-net-worth individuals to help manage their financial lives is now accessible to more families.

Back to Sharing Knowledge

About Mercer Advisors

We exist so you don’t have to worry about money. For more than 40 years, we’ve taken the sophisticated, time-tested approach that many ultra-high net worth individuals use to help manage their financial lives and made it accessible to more families.

Explore Our Solutions

Financial Planning
Estate Planning
Tax Planning & Preparation
Insurance Solutions
Investment Management
Trustee Services

Want to learn more about Mercer Advisors?

Let’s Talk