Lotteries have grown in popularity in recent years, as jackpots have grown in size.
In October, the multistate Mega Millions jackpot grew to more than $1.5 billion if taken as annuity payments, and the largest jackpot on record won with a single ticket.
Lotteries are seen by some as the shortcut to financial security, even though the odds of winning are so low (1 in 302,575,350 for the recent Mega Millions jackpot). Ironically, some studies show that as many as 70% of lottery winners end up broke or filing for bankruptcy. In fact, 44% of winners have spent the entire jackpot within five years!
Some people earn very high compensation for a very short period of time, playing professional football is one example. According to a 2015 study, the median career earnings of an NFL player, expressed in inflation-adjusted dollars, were $3.2 million. That is far above the median lifetime career earnings of most Americans. Yet after 12 years of retirement, 15.7% of the players had filed for bankruptcy, a rate that is roughly three times greater than that of the rest of the male population of comparable age. The study did not try to pinpoint the causes.
Similarly, many notable actors and celebrities (For example, Johnny Depp) found themselves in a financial crises despite their large earnings.
Did they have a plan for their financial windfalls?
The phrase “sudden wealth” may be associated with lottery winners, but life provides many other opportunities for a sudden increase in net worth. Lump sum distribution of retirement benefits, insurance settlements, inheritance, or the sale of a business or investment real estate can create large sums of money for talented people who, like most lottery winners, do not have experience with wealth management.
Taxes are the first concern when sudden money is coming into one’s life. Taxes simply need to be assessed and addressed as part of the process. For lottery winners, for example, there isn’t much tax planning to do. The tax rules for retirement distributions are pretty straightforward as well. Planning a liquidity event, such as the sale of a business, can get more complicated. A legal consultation is likely advisable.
The harder talk is about the friends who may show up, looking for a loan or offering an “investment opportunity.” Most difficult of all is broaching the idea that one’s family might not act honorably.
Garden State Trust Company has experience with wealth management. We know all about financial transitions and attendant emotional adjustments. When you come into significant sums, call upon us for:
- personal investment accounts, with asset allocation planning, unbiased investment advice and fees linked to account value (not transactions);
- revocable living trusts, for an added measure of financial flexibility, including protection in the case of disability and probate avoidance;
- rollover IRAs to extend the tax-deferral benefits for your retirement money.
If you be will creating sudden wealth for someone else
If your estate plan includes a substantial legacy for a younger family member who lacks full financial maturity, consider using a trust for the bequest. Your trust will be a gift of more than financial resources. You will be including our investment and financial management expertise as well. A gift or bequest in trust can provide for a lifetime of financial security.
We look forward to being of service.
