About
Have you ever considered what happens to your farm once you retire, or in the event of death? What if multiple dependents are involved, and only one chooses to succeed to the business? Maybe you’d like to transition your farm to key employees, while still maintaining your lifestyle.
Statistics show that 72% of farm owners never create a plan to protect their business assets. Why? Traditional solutions are too complex, and too costly. People feel like they have to sacrifice too much growth today to protect the future.
To address these concerns, Definition Financial has created the Wealth Enhancement Plan. WEP provides a solution that secures your legacy, is easy to understand, and is less costly than traditional methods. Our approach is unique, ensuring your Farm Succession Planning is successful.
THE SMITHS – CASE STUDY
BARB & DOUG SMITH
Farm Owners
Barb and Doug Smith have worked their entire lives to build a successful farming business. They are ready to retire, want to leave a legacy, have their farm survive them, and maintain their lifestyle. They have three children: Robert, Karen, and Michael.
FACTS
• The Smiths are 61 years old with 3 children
• Their farm has assets of $8M
• Their farm has debt of $2M
• Their son Robert wants to takeover farm
• They have $1M in savings & investments
GOALS
• Distribute assets fairly among their children
• Have their farm survive when they retire
• Minimize debt and taxes efficiently
• Have Robert take over the farm
• Maintain their lifestyle
ROBERT SMITH
WORKS FOR FARM
KAREN SMITH
LEGAL PROFESSIONAL
MICHAEL SMITH
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER
PROBLEMS
WEALTH
DISTRIBUTION
How do the Smiths leave their business to Robert while distributing wealth to Karen and Michael?
FARM
LEGACY
How will the Smiths maintain their farm legacy, if forced to sell? What happens to Robert?
DEBT +
TAXES
By selling, are the Smiths forced to payout their debt and how do they minimize Capital Gains Tax?
MAINTAIN
LIFESTYLE
If Robert takes over, how will the Smiths maintain their lifestyle without access to business income?
The Smiths are conflicted: all their goals are equally important. However, every time they focus on achieving one goal – others become unattainable. Is it possible for the Smiths to achieve all their goals?
SOLUTION
Through WEP, we use the very assets you are trying to protect, to shield themselves. This is achieved without requiring a huge injection from much needed cash flow. Working on behalf of our clients, we build a financial plan that achieves all your succession, retirement, and estate planning needs.
Our strategy allows you to transition your assets, in whole, and tax effectively to the individuals who will succeed your legacy.
WITHOUT WEP
The Smiths retire.
They must live off savings for the rest of their lives.
Farm liquidates to pay children equally.
Robert and employees let go.
Debt & Taxes paid
with liquidated cash.
Each child receives $1.5M after taxes.
Robert must find another job.
FAMILY NET WORTH: $4.5M
WITH WEP
The Smiths retire.
Tax Free income from WEP maintains lifestyle.
Farm remains open.
Robert and employees keep jobs.
No need to liquidate.
Debt & Taxes paid fully.
Karen & Michael receive $3M/ea. tax free.
Robert now owns farm.
FAMILY NET WORTH: $14M
Benefits
Our strategy has zero impact on taxes today and gives you a Tax Free Retirement. Everyone’s situation is unique. Let the team at Definition Financial show you how this solution could be of benefit to you.
• Leave a Legacy
• Flexibility
• Allows for Tax Free retirement income
• Mitigate repayment of government benefits
• Potential Emergency Fund Reserve
We’d like to thank organizers, volunteers, sponsors, and visitors who made this year’s show a great success. Farming is an vital part of sustaining our economy – we have such appreciation for the hard-working folks who feed our nation!
