John Cella presented on “Retirement Benefits and Life Insurance” at the North Carolina Bar Association’s 2023 Estate Planning & Probate Law Survey Course held last week. Sponsored by the NCBA Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Section, the course was intended for individuals new to estate planning and probate law practice. John’s presentation identified retirement and life insurance beneficiary designation traps, then reviewed retirement distribution planning considerations in the wake of the SECURE Act and SECURE 2.0. He also covered basic treatment of life insurance including gift and GST tax issues arising from gifts to irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs). John concluded with practical business succession and other uses of life insurance in estate planning.

John has practiced in trusts and estates, tax, and ERISA law for more than twenty years.