Which term describes the practice of using life insurance to satisfy estate tax obligations and preserve family wealth?

• A. Beneficiary designation
• B. Estate conservation
• C. Insurable interest
• D. Insured status

Answer: (B)

Estate conservation is about protecting the value of a family’s wealth by ensuring there is liquidity to pay estate taxes and other final costs, so heirs don’t have to surrender assets or break up the estate. Life insurance is a common tool for this because its death benefit provides immediate cash at the time taxes are due, helping to preserve the overall estate. In practice, planners may structure ownership (for example, via trusts) to keep the policy proceeds out of the taxable estate, further aiding wealth preservation for heirs. This concept differs from who receives the proceeds (beneficiary designation), the required relationship for coverage (insurable interest), or who is the insured (insured status).