Kansas, U.S. - July 23, 2025 - BG Wealth Advisory, LLC, a leading financial advisory firm based in Mission, Kansas, offers financial guidance about the critical role women play in the historic Great Wealth Transfer—a financial phenomenon poised to reshape the U.S. economy. With trillions in assets expected to shift from Baby Boomers to the next generation, BG Wealth Advisory offers forward-thinking financial and estate planning strategies tailored specifically for women, empowering them to manage, preserve, and grow inherited wealth with confidence.

Experts estimate that between $84 to $124 trillion will change hands over the coming decades, and at least 70% of that wealth will transfer to women, either as surviving spouses or direct heirs. This shift will triple women’s control over U.S. financial assets—from $10 trillion in 2020 to over $30 trillion by 2030.

“Women are increasingly becoming stewards of family wealth, often unexpectedly and during emotionally difficult times,” said Barbara Gulin, President and Founder of BG Wealth Advisory. “We help women like Kathy, who find themselves overwhelmed after a loved one’s passing, make sense of financial responsibilities and create lasting strategies.”

Kathy’s Story

Kathy, the oldest of three siblings, had no idea of what she was getting into after her mother passed away. She helped her mom with the day-to-day bill paying after her father died, but her mother’s chronic health issues left little time to evaluate the retirement and investment accounts her parents had. Now, with nobody to answer questions that should have been addressed long ago, Kathy is trying to sort out a stack of paperwork that may or may not have all her parents’ assets.

Kathy isn’t alone – far from it. She is one of millions of women who are at the forefront of The Great Wealth Transfer. If that term is unfamiliar, it’s a reference to the estimated $84 to $124 trillion in assets that will transfer from Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation to younger generations.

The Great Wealth Transfer

A report by McKinsey and Company calculates that at least 70% of that will go to women, either as the surviving spouse or the next generation of women that will inherit it directly. Having a plan for this wealth transfer can mean that more of it goes to the intended recipients – be it family, charitable organizations, or others – than to the government.

In 2020, women controlled about $10 trillion in US financial assets. By 2030, that number is expected to grow to more than $30 trillion—an amount nearly equal to the annual GDP of the United States. Much of this wealth transfer will be wealth that is transferred from one spouse to another when the first spouse passes away. Since women statistically outlive men by about five years, approximately 95% of this "horizontal" wealth movement is the surviving female spouse.

As this wealth is changing hands, there will likely be a shift in the investment world. As a rule, women, who invest more conservatively on average, tend to outperform their male counterparts. Women, particularly affluent women, look at investing through a different lens. They are driven to seek more investment advice than men. They are generally less impulsive in volatile markets and choose lower-cost investment products.

Overall, lower risk tolerance and confidence are the primary reasons for this. In addition, women utilize investing to focus on more tangible goals than men. More women than men are concerned with outliving their retirement savings or paying for long-term care expenses. As a result, the market will need to respond with solutions to accommodate the differences in investment choices.

How to Plan

Planning for wealth transfer to the next generation goes beyond a plan for long-term care or retirement needs, according to Gulin. Estate planning is vital, as is looking at the potential tax consequences of different investment vehicles. Income taxes, capital gains taxes, opportunities to utilize the stepped-up cost basis, and other considerations are easier to navigate with experienced professionals.

Distributing assets with minimal tax repercussions can be tedious with a complex estate. While it can feel overwhelming, trusted professionals routinely guide clients through the financial and estate planning process. Engaging the help of financial and tax professionals to create an estate that fits a client’s risk tolerance, creates tax efficiency, and plans for contingencies like long-term care or premature death can bring peace of mind.

Establishing proper estate planning documents, like a living or irrevocable trust, can make a significant difference in which assets are included in the estate to calculate inheritance taxes. Until December 31, 2025, the amount exempt from Federal estate taxes is $13.99 million per individual. In 2026, that amount increases to $15 million per individual. It will continue to increase annually based on inflation.

Assets placed in a trust will not be subject to probate – a potentially lengthy process that makes the details of an estate public. Assets that have a beneficiary designation, like retirement plans and life insurance policies, automatically bypass the probate process.

Understanding how wealth transfers work from differing vehicles is an important part of the process. If the estate has a significant amount in pre-tax or Roth retirement accounts, non-spousal beneficiaries have 10 years to liquidate those accounts. There are limited exceptions for minors and disabled beneficiaries.

Distributions from traditional pre-tax accounts will be taxed as ordinary income. Distributions from Roth accounts are not taxed; however, when reinvested, the growth in the investments will be subject to capital gains taxes. Incorporating cash-value life insurance into the estate can provide tax-free resources for both the owner of the estate and its beneficiaries when structured properly.

"If a business is part of the estate, have a succession plan in place. Don't assume that the next generation will carry on the business," suggests Gulin. Creating a succession plan may include granting an ownership interest to essential personnel, acquiring buy-sell agreements, purchasing keyman insurance policies to assist with buying out uninterested heirs, or ensuring that meaningful staff members stay with the company through the ownership transition.

If the business is to be sold, acquire an independent valuation of the company. An unbiased valuation eliminates arguments about what the company is worth and can help heirs who were not involved in the business get a fair price when the business is sold.

Through the Great Wealth Transfer, women have the opportunity to impart not only financial inheritances but also values to the next generation. Designating a portion of their estate to nonprofit organizations that align with desired values is one way to accomplish this. Charitable giving can also reduce the overall tax liability of the estate. Women can simplify transferring wealth to the next generation with these tools:

• Utilize estate planning tools like trusts.

• Keep beneficiary designations up to date; review them at least once or twice a year.

• Most importantly, understand that plans can change. Assemble a team of advisors that can adapt to changes in circumstances and family structures.

“As women inherit and grow wealth, they’re not just passing down money—they’re passing down meaning,” Gulin added. “That’s why we focus on planning that supports both financial security and purpose.”

For more expert guidance on planning through the Great Wealth Transfer, visit www.bgwealthmanagement.com.

To stay informed on the latest insights about financial planning, estate strategies, and the evolving role of women in wealth management, follow BG Wealth Advisory, LLC on social media. Subscribe to their YouTube channel for educational videos, connect with the team on LinkedIn for industry updates and thought leadership, and join the conversation on Facebook for community engagement and financial tips tailored for every stage of life.

About BG Wealth Advisory

BG Wealth Advisory, LLC is a premier financial advisory firm based in Mission, Kansas, dedicated to helping individuals, families, and business owners build, preserve, and transfer wealth with confidence. Founded by Barbara Gulin, the firm specializes in personalized financial planning, investment management, estate strategies, and business succession planning. With a client-first philosophy and a deep understanding of women’s unique financial journeys, BG Wealth Advisory empowers clients to make informed decisions that align with their goals and values.

Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

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