2026 WEALTH PLANNING OUTLOOK

THE GREAT ACCELERATION

With sweeping new tax law taking effect in 2026, unprecedented technological change and geopolitical shifts, wealth is moving faster than ever. To help navigate this era of acceleration, the Northern Trust Institute provides actionable insight on planning for a new tax landscape, the power of AI-driven advice, new patterns in global mobility, philanthropy and preparing the next generation to lead.

BEYOND SUNSET

A NEW TAX LANDSCAPE

At this time last year, taxpayers were facing a potential halving of the estate and gift tax exclusion, return of the 39.6% income tax bracket, and expiration of the deduction for passthrough business income. Passed into law in July 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act eliminated that uncertainty — and created unprecedented opportunities for tax savings.

Source: Volume of Data or Information Created, Captured, Copied and Consumed Worldwide from 2010-2029, Statista

MODERN WEALTH PLANNING

THE AGE OF AI ADVICE

AI opens the door to unprecedented personalization and speed in wealth planning advice — enabling faster, smarter decisions and the ability to anticipate change. But with opportunity comes responsibility: data quality, privacy and fraud prevention are critical. Thoughtful adoption ensures innovation enhances your financial future.

GOING GLOBAL

THE GREAT WEALTH MIGRATION

We are witnessing the largest geographic migration of wealth in history. With new opportunities in international investments and asset protection, cross-border tax strategies and citizenship-by-investment programs, families are increasingly looking beyond borders. Success requires integrated tax and estate planning aligned with long-term legacy goals.

165k
high-net-worth families across the world are expected to move to a different country in 2026.
Source: The Henley Private Wealth Migration Report, 2025. Henley & Partners
Only
1%
of donors accounted for more than 70% of the revenue for many organizations in 2024.
Source: Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

CHARITABLE PLANNING

GIVING FOR
DURABLE IMPACT

With sweeping new tax legislation, tighter budgets and heightened concentration of donors, the giving landscape has changed markedly. Donors must contend with new rules around deductibility and more stringent oversight of nonprofits, leading many to examine how new strategies for giving can help position their families and grantees for durable impact.

BRIDGING GENERATIONS

POWER, PURPOSE
AND LEGACY

A new era of leadership is here. As trillions in wealth transfer to Millennials and Gen Z, attitudes toward power, purpose and legacy are shifting. Rising leaders value impact over titles, collaboration over hierarchy. For families and advisors, success means bridging perspectives — aligning experience with innovation to navigate change together.

90%
of young adults say having purpose-driven work is essential to their well-being
Yet
less than
10%
say becoming a senior leader is their top goal
Source: 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, Deloitte
 
 

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

For actionable advice on optimizing your plan for new tax law and the other trends most impacting wealth planning in 2026, download the report today.

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This information is not intended to be and should not be treated as legal, investment, accounting or tax advice and is for informational purposes only. Readers, including professionals, should under no circumstances rely upon this information as a substitute for their own research or for obtaining specific legal, accounting or tax advice from their own counsel. All information discussed herein is current only as of the date appearing in this material and is subject to change at any time without notice.