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Selling the family farm to the right buyer
An exit strategy focuses on having the right buyer of the family farm and preparing for all the contingencies that may arise.
An exit strategy is for farmers who have identified an unrelated third party to whom they want to transfer the farming operation.
Exit today, at retirement or death
An owner will exit the farming operation in one of three ways:
- Sell the farm today
- Sell the farm at retirement
- Sell the farm upon death
BOLD sales support
Contact the Securian Financial Advanced Sales Team today.
1-888-413-7860, option 3
Three steps for the exit route
| Lifetime transfers | Transfers at death | |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction | Arrange sales to a third party | During lifetime — Arrange rental agreement with a third party At death — Arrange a one-way buy-sell agreement |
| Legal transactions or documents | Outright sale, installment note or contract for deed | During lifetime — Rental agreement (cash or crop lease) At death — Buy-sell agreement with unrelated third party |
| Tax ramifications | Income-tax ramifications
| Income tax ramifications
Estate tax ramifications — Fair market value of the farm will be included in the estate at death (value may be determined by valuation in the buy-sell agreement) |
| Retirement income | Proceeds of sale used for retirement and remaining proceeds distributed to heirs | Use rental income for retirement objectives |
| Concerns |
|
One-way buy-sell
In a one-way buy-sell, the farmer enters into a buy-sell arrangement with an unrelated third party to sell the property upon the farmer’s death
- The unrelated third party is the owner and beneficiary of a policy on the farmer
- The farmer may bonus premium payments to the unrelated third party, if that individual is a key employee
- Upon the farmer’s death, the unrelated third party is required to purchase the ownership from the estate of the deceased farmer
- The unrelated third party then becomes sole owner of the farming operation
Advantages
- Farm is in the estate until death(s) of the parent
- Unrelated third party receives a full step-up in basis in the farm
Concerns
- Estate tax ramifications because the farm is within the parent’s estate
- Unrelated third party will need to pay the premiums on the policy
Take BOLD action
Key resources
Additional resources for farm business succession
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View the step-by-step processPlease keep in mind that the primary reason for purchasing life insurance is the death benefit.
Life insurance products contain charges, such as Cost of Insurance Charge, Cash Extra Charge, and Additional Agreements Charge (which we refer to as mortality charges), and Premium Charge, Monthly Policy Charge, Policy Issue Charge, Transaction Charge, Index Segment Charge, and Surrender Charge (which we refer to as expense charges). These charges may increase over time, and these policies may contain restrictions, such as surrender periods. Policyholders could lose money in these products.
Long-term care insurance may cover care such as nursing care, home and community-based care, and informal care. Please ensure that your clients consult a tax advisor regarding long-term care benefit payments, or when taking a loan or withdrawal from a life insurance contract.
Additional agreements may be available. Agreements may be subject to additional costs and restrictions. Agreements may not be available in all states or may exist under a different name in various states and may not be available in combination with other agreements.
Policy loans and withdrawals may create an adverse tax result in the event of lapse or policy surrender and will reduce both the surrender value and death benefit. Withdrawals may be subject to taxation within the first fifteen years of the contract. Clients should consult their tax advisor when considering taking a policy loan or withdrawal.
The Policy Design chosen may impact the tax status of the policy. If too much premium is paid, the policy could become a modified endowment contract (MEC). Distributions from a MEC may be taxable and if the taxpayer is under the age of 59 ½ may also be subject to an additional 10% penalty tax.
An annuity is intended to be a long-term, tax-deferred retirement vehicle. Earnings are taxable as ordinary income when distributed, and if withdrawn before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty. If the annuity will fund an IRA or other tax qualified plan, the tax deferral feature offers no additional value. Qualified distributions from a Roth IRA are generally excluded from gross income, but taxes and penalties may apply to non-qualified distributions. Please consult a tax advisor for specific information. There are charges and expenses associated with annuities, such as surrender charges (deferred sales charges) for early withdrawals.
This information may contain a general discussion of the relevant federal tax laws. It is not intended for, nor can it be used by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding federal tax penalties. This information is provided to support the promotion or marketing of ideas that may benefit a taxpayer. Taxpayers should seek the advice of their own tax and legal advisors regarding any tax and legal issues applicable to their specific circumstances.
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DOFU 10-2025
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