Life Insurance Planning Opportunities in 2020

Martin M. Shenkman is an attorney in private practice in Fort Lee, NJ, and New York City.  His practice concentrates on estate and tax planning, planning for closely held business, and estate administration.  Mr. Shenkman is an author of over 42 books and more than 1,000 articles.  He is an editorial board member of Trusts & Estates Magazine and the Matrimonial Strategist, and an advisor for InterActive Legal.  He is the recipient of many awards including being a 2013 recipient of the prestigious Accredited Estate Planners (Distinguished) award from the National Association of Estate Planning Counsels.  Mr. Shenkman was named Financial Planning Magazine 2012 Pro-Bono Financial Planner of the Year for his efforts on behalf of those living with chronic illness and disability.  Investment Adviser Magazine featured him on the cover of its April 2013 issue naming as the lead of their “all-star lineup of tax experts.”

Lee Slavutin has been in the life insurance business since 1983. Born in Australia, Lee practiced as a surgical pathologist until he came to New York as the chief resident in pathology at Lenox Hill Hospital where he worked as a staff pathologist until changing his career. Lee’s unique medical qualifications are an important part of his specialty, which is serving high net worth individuals seeking substantial life insurance policies. Lee is a well-known public speaker and educator for the legal and accounting professions including the American Law Institute/American Bar Association and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He has written and published over 150 articles on the complex legal and technical aspects of securing life insurance for estate tax planning. His text book published by Thomson Reuters, A Guide to Life Insurance Strategies, is in its 11th edition. Lee has served as a director of the Association of Advanced Life Underwriters and the Estate Planning Council of New York. He is on the editorial advisory board of Tax Hotline and is a member of the CCH Estate and Financial Planning advisory board. Lee testified before the New York State Senate in 1990 and worked with the United States General Accounting Office on the effectiveness of the insurance company rating firms. “Our greatest source of pride in business is supporting our clients to make decisions after they understand all the facts. The client’s best interest comes first; there is never a question about that for us. We pride ourselves in providing technical expertise for those who sometimes need to make irrevocable estate planning decisions.” Lee lives in New York and East Hampton with his wife Dee. They have two grown children. He enjoys learning the Torah and Tanya (the spiritual roadmap of life based on Jewish mysticism).

Steven Zeiger is a Managing Director at KB Financial where he works with clients and their advisory team to generate superior outcomes throughout their lives. KB’s team of professionals coordinates financial, tax, estate planning, insurance solutions, wealth management and mergers and acquisition planning and to support the quest for financial success for our clients. KB offers an integrated family office platform. He is an expert in applying Prudent Investor guidelines to life insurance product selection and portfolio management according to established and proven asset management doctrine. He is guided by the Uniform Prudent Investor Act, FINRA Rule IM 2210, NY DFS Regulation 187 “Clients Best Interest” rule and lessons learned from the first adjudicated fiduciary lawsuit regarding Trust Owned Life Insurance AKA Cochran v. Key Bank. Steven is uniquely qualified to help estate planning professionals better understand the ethical implications and new business opportunities created by the “new fiduciary era for life insurance”. He helps CPAs, wealth managers, and attorneys guide their clients’ insurance decisions based on a patented prudent process. Steven, his wife, and sons live in Chappaqua, NY. Steven plays on a USTA tennis team and enjoys travel, skiing, and ping pong with his family. He prides himself on giving back to the community by combining his love of athletic challenges with his passion for helping others, as such, he on Board of the Kidney Cancer Coalition and participates in the MSK Cycle for Survival. Steven is currently training for next year’s 192-mile Pan Mass Challenge, he will be riding with his sister on her 13th annual ride.