After working hard to develop a business, it is important to also enjoy the results. Many entrepreneurs spend years of focused effort building up a business, but then fail to consider how to make the transition to retirement. A financial planner can offer expert advice in how to plan an effective business succession strategy.

For family businesses, a formal management succession strategy can help ensure a business stays in the family over generations. Depending on the level of involvement of family members, alternative bequests can help make decisions with those who do, and those who not, want to continue being involved in the family business.

Entrepreneurs can work to turn equity in the business into capital that can be used to fund retirement. Business owners can design tax-effective retirement strategies, such as using life insurance policies, paying business founders a salary, or arranging for an heir or heirs to slowly buy up ownership shares.

Life insurance is a consideration when planning business succession. If the founder is nearing the end of his or her life, a well-planned life insurance policy can help successors transition into business owners. Upon death, successors face estate taxes on business values of more than $500,000—with the tax-free amount potentially offset by any capital business losses the owner declared during his or her lifetime. Life insurance is one way that successors can cover the remaining amounts.

Smaller businesses may not need to pay estate taxes, but can still benefit from a plan that ensures an equal legacy for their successors. A financial advisor can help entrepreneurs plan an inheritance that is fairly distributed among all loved ones.

Contact us today to discuss strategies for business succession.