Strategy Library

Advanced strategies, evaluated as one connected wealth system.

A practical guide for families, executives and business owners navigating concentrated wealth, tax-aware investing, private markets, estate transfer, philanthropy, business continuity, healthcare, education, retirement and complex insurance decisions.

Start With The Decision

A strategy is useful only when it fits the whole plan.

The names can sound definitive. The real work is comparative: establish the goal, model simpler alternatives, expose the tradeoffs, coordinate the specialists and monitor the result after implementation.

How Helix Helps

One accountable center for a multidisciplinary plan.

Helix Wealth does not replace your attorney, accountant, plan administrator, lender or other required specialist. We help you decide what deserves deeper analysis and keep the work connected from design through review.

01
Diagnose
Map the balance sheet, people, entities, documents, cash flows and decision deadlines.
02
Compare
Model the proposed strategy beside simpler alternatives using consistent, after-tax assumptions.
03
Coordinate
Give each specialist clear questions, inputs, dependencies and implementation ownership.
04
Monitor
Review performance, funding, documents, policy values, tax changes and whether the original need still exists.

Strategy Group

Liquidity, investing and concentrated wealth

Decisions about borrowing, selling, diversifying and protecting liquidity should be modeled together after taxes, interest, risk and implementation costs.

01Asset loan analysisCompares borrowing against a portfolio, business interest, real estate or insurance value with selling assets or using cash. The analysis should include after-tax interest, collateral volatility, covenants and potential calls.

02True liquidityA balance-sheet view of what can actually be converted to cash, when it can be accessed and what remains after tax, debt, penalties, haircuts and family or business commitments.

03Diversification alternativesA menu for reducing a concentrated position through staged sales, tax-aware rebalancing, charitable gifts, hedging, exchange funds or a compliant trading plan where appropriate.

04Buy term and invest the differenceCompares lower-cost term coverage plus a separate investment program with permanent insurance that combines lifetime coverage and policy value.Also called: Buy Term Invest Diff · Renting vs Buying Life Ins

0510b5-1 and executive liquidity planningA pre-arranged trading plan can help eligible corporate insiders sell company stock under a documented schedule while addressing insider-trading restrictions.

06Direct indexing and tax-aware transitionsA separately managed portfolio can hold individual securities to support customized exclusions, gain budgets and tax-loss harvesting while tracking a broader benchmark.

07Strategic asset locationCoordinates which investments are held in taxable, tax-deferred, Roth and other tax-advantaged accounts so expected income, turnover, growth, withdrawals and tax treatment support the household plan.Also called: Tax-efficient asset location · Tax-aware asset location

Strategy Group

Estate, family and multigenerational transfer

Transfer strategies work only when ownership, valuation, tax reporting, trustee powers, liquidity and family intent are aligned in the legal documents and in practice.

01Estate tax exposure and liquidityProjects potential transfer-tax exposure and the cash an estate may need, then compares acting now, waiting or using temporary coverage while a permanent plan is developed.Also called: Estate Tax · Cost of Waiting · Cost of Waiting With Term

02Spousal lifetime access trustAn irrevocable trust funded by one spouse for the other spouse and descendants, intended to move future appreciation outside the donor’s estate while preserving indirect family access through the beneficiary spouse.Also called: SLAT

03Intentionally defective grantor trustA trust designed to be outside the grantor’s estate for transfer-tax purposes while the grantor remains responsible for its income tax. It may be funded by gift or a properly structured sale for a note.Also called: IDGT · Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust · Taxable vs Non-Taxable Note Sale

04Dynasty trust with life insuranceA long-duration trust may own investments or life insurance for descendants, using available gift and generation-skipping transfer planning to support multigenerational goals.

05Family LLC or family limited partnershipA family entity can centralize ownership, governance and gifting of investments, a business, real estate or in limited cases insurance or charitable projects.Also called: Family LLC · Insurance Only LLC · Charitable LLC

06Inheritance equalizationUses asset allocation, beneficiary design or insurance to balance inheritances when one heir receives a business, property or another indivisible asset.

07Grantor retained annuity trustAn irrevocable trust pays a fixed annuity back to the grantor for a term; appreciation above the assumed IRS rate may pass to remainder beneficiaries.Also called: GRAT

08Irrevocable life insurance trustAn irrevocable trust may own life insurance so proceeds can support beneficiaries or estate liquidity under terms set by the grantor.Also called: ILIT

09Family governance and family-office designCreates practical decision rights, meeting rhythms, shared policies and education for family wealth, and evaluates whether a coordinated virtual or dedicated family office is warranted.Also called: Family governance · Family constitution · Family office structure

Strategy Group

Advanced investment strategies and alternative assets

Sophisticated strategies can add liquidity, reshape concentrated risk or broaden return sources, but they also introduce leverage, derivatives, illiquidity, valuation uncertainty, complex taxes and manager risk.

01Exchange-listed box spread financingUses four exchange-listed index options with the same expiration to create a fixed future payment. Selling the box can produce cash today against eligible brokerage collateral, with the difference between proceeds and the fixed settlement functioning economically like financing cost.Also called: SPX Box Spread Loan · Box Spread Synthetic Loan

02Synthetic prepaid variable forward and collarCombines an exchange-listed collar on concentrated stock with separate box-spread financing to create upfront liquidity, a downside floor and a capped upside range without using a single over-the-counter bank forward.Also called: Synthetic VPF · Synthetic PVF · Cash Advance Synthetic VPF

03Exchange fund diversificationEligible investors contribute concentrated stock to a private partnership in exchange for an interest in a diversified pool, generally accepting a long holding period, partnership taxation and exposure to the pool’s other assets.

04Tax-managed long-short investingA portfolio takes both long and short positions while seeking market exposure and realizing losses that may offset gains elsewhere, subject to borrowing costs, turnover and tax rules.

05Private creditInvests in loans or other privately negotiated debt, often through a limited partnership, interval fund or business development company, in exchange for income and potential illiquidity premiums.

06Private equity and venture capitalCommits capital to private companies through long-duration funds, co-investments or direct holdings, with returns dependent on business execution, manager access and eventual exits.

07Hedge funds and absolute-return strategiesPrivate or registered funds may use long-short positions, derivatives, leverage, arbitrage and other flexible mandates in pursuit of returns that differ from traditional stock and bond exposure.

08Private real estate and infrastructureProvides ownership or debt exposure to properties and essential assets such as transportation, energy, communications or utilities through private funds, partnerships or direct investments.

09Direct real estate, DST and 1031 exchange planningCompares direct ownership, syndications and eligible Delaware statutory trust interests when replacing investment real estate, including the economics and strict execution requirements of a potential Section 1031 exchange.Also called: Delaware Statutory Trust · DST real estate · 1031 exchange

10REP StatusEvaluates whether a taxpayer may qualify as a real estate professional for passive-activity purposes and whether materially participating rental activities may be treated as nonpassive.Also called: Real Estate Professional Status · Real Estate Professional

11Managed futures and trend-followingSystematic strategies take long and short futures positions across equity indexes, rates, currencies and commodities based on price trends or other rules.

12Structured notesAn issuer combines a debt obligation with a derivative payoff linked to an index, stock, rate or other reference asset, often using caps, barriers, buffers or contingent coupons.

13Qualified opportunity fund investingInvests eligible gain in a qualified opportunity fund that holds qualifying businesses or property, combining a long-duration investment decision with specific federal tax rules.

14Private-market secondariesPurchases existing interests in private funds or companies from current owners, potentially providing seasoned exposure, shorter duration or discounted pricing compared with a new commitment.

Strategy Group

Charitable and philanthropic planning

The right giving vehicle depends on charitable intent first, then asset type, timing, control, income needs and substantiation requirements.

01Charitable remainder annuity trustAn irrevocable charitable remainder trust pays a fixed dollar amount to one or more noncharitable beneficiaries for a permitted term, after which the remainder passes to charity.Also called: CRAT · Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust

02Charitable remainder unitrustAn irrevocable charitable remainder trust pays a fixed percentage of annually revalued assets, so distributions may rise or fall before the remainder goes to charity.Also called: CRUT · Charitable Remainder Unitrust

03Donate appreciated stock and replace family wealthGifts appreciated securities directly to charity or a charitable vehicle and separately evaluates life insurance to replace some value for heirs.Also called: Donate Stock To Charity And Buy Life Insurance

04Donor-advised fund and charitable bunchingA contribution to a sponsoring charity may create a current deduction while the donor retains advisory privileges over future grants. Bunching can concentrate several years of giving into one tax year.Also called: DAF

05Qualified charitable distributionAn eligible IRA owner can direct a qualifying distribution to an eligible charity; the distribution may be excluded from income and can count toward the year’s required minimum distribution.Also called: QCD

06Private Family FoundationEvaluates whether a family-funded 501(c)(3) private foundation is an appropriate vehicle for grantmaking, direct charitable work, family governance and long-term philanthropic capital.Also called: Family Foundation · Private Foundation

07Art DonationEvaluates donating artwork or other collectible property to a qualified charity, including charitable purpose, holding period, valuation, use, timing, transfer logistics and substantiation.Also called: Charitable Gift of Art · Donate Artwork

Strategy Group

Business continuity, ownership and key-person risk

Business protection should start with valuation, ownership terms and the actual cash need—not with a predetermined product or structure.

01Cross-purchase buy-sellOwners agree to buy a departing or deceased owner’s interest, often supported by insurance owned by the other owners.Also called: Cross Purchase

02One-way buy-sellA succession agreement for a sole owner and a selected buyer—often a key employee, family member or outside party—supported by a defined funding plan. A retention stay bonus may be paired with it to keep the successor through transition.Also called: One Way Buy-Sell · RSB With A One Way Buy-Sell

03Key-person protectionCompany-owned coverage or reserves can help absorb revenue loss, replacement cost, lender pressure or transition expense after the death or disability of a critical person.Also called: Key Person

04Captive insurance company planningEvaluates whether a business has substantial, insurable risks that may justify forming or joining a regulated insurance company with credible underwriting, pricing, claims and risk distribution.Also called: Captive insurance · 831(b) captive

05Business owner liquidity event planningCoordinates the owner’s wealth before, during and after a sale, recapitalization or succession—from basis and estate work to post-close cash reserves and portfolio policy.Also called: Past Present and Future

06Qualified small business stock planningEligible founders and investors may qualify to exclude some gain on qualifying small business stock if detailed company, issuance, holding-period and taxpayer rules are satisfied.Also called: QSBS · Section 1202

07R&D CreditsEvaluates federal and state research credits for qualified research expenses incurred while developing or improving products, processes, software or other business components.Also called: Research Credit · Section 41 Research Credit

Strategy Group

Executive compensation and retention

Employer-sponsored arrangements must balance recruiting goals, cash flow, tax timing, benefit security, documentation and the employee’s full compensation picture.

01Executive bonus planThe employer pays additional taxable compensation, sometimes intended to help an executive fund personally owned insurance. Variations may include vesting, repayment or financing features.Also called: Executive Bonus · PPIA Bonus · Leveraged Bonus Plan

02Nonqualified deferred compensationAllows selected executives to defer compensation under a written arrangement, generally remaining an unsecured creditor of the employer until payment.Also called: Executive Deferral Plan · Executive Wealth Building Strategy

03Supplemental executive retirement planA nonqualified plan promising selected executives additional retirement benefits. The employer may informally set aside investments or insurance, but assets commonly remain subject to corporate creditors.Also called: SERP · SERP - Corporate Funding

04Phantom stock planA contractual benefit tracks company value or appreciation without issuing actual ownership, usually paying cash or shares after vesting or at a specified event.

05Retention stay bonusA documented bonus rewards a key employee for remaining through a defined date, transaction, succession or transition and meeting stated conditions.Also called: RSB

Strategy Group

Split-dollar and premium-financing structures

These are financing and ownership arrangements, not a type of policy. Success depends on tax regime, documents, interest, collateral, policy performance and a credible exit.

01Split-dollar life insuranceTwo parties share the premium, cash value or death benefit of a life policy under either an economic-benefit or loan-regime structure. Private split-dollar typically involves family members or a trust; employer arrangements involve a business and executive.Also called: Split Dollar · Private Split Dollar · Protection First Split Dollar · PPIA Private Split Dollar

02Intergenerational split-dollarA senior generation or related entity advances premiums under a documented split-dollar arrangement involving a trust or family member, often under loan-regime rules.Also called: Inter-Generational Split Dollar · PPIA Loan Regime

03Premium financingA third-party lender finances life-insurance premiums, generally requiring interest payments and collateral beyond policy value in early years.Also called: PPIA Premium Finance

04Policy loan and interest analysisProjects how policy loans, credited values, loan rates and repayments interact over time under multiple return and interest assumptions.Also called: Loan Interest Array

Strategy Group

Retirement, IRA and Social Security decisions

Retirement strategies should be compared on spendable income, taxes, survivor outcomes, liquidity and legacy—not a single projected benefit.

01Qualified distribution planningCoordinates required distributions, beneficiary rules, Roth conversions, charitable distributions and account withdrawals across the owner’s lifetime and the heirs’ likely distribution period.Also called: IRA Transfer Maximization

02Marital Roth conversionModels Roth conversions across both spouses’ lives, including the possibility that a survivor later files as a single taxpayer with narrower tax brackets.

03Pension maximizationCompares a higher single-life pension plus separately purchased survivor protection with a lower joint-and-survivor pension election.

05Life insurance inside a qualified planSome qualified plans can hold limited life insurance as an incidental benefit, subject to plan terms and tax and nondiscrimination rules.

06Family Pension PlanEvaluates a qualified defined-benefit or cash-balance retirement plan for a family-owned business, balancing owner retirement goals with eligible-employee coverage, tax deductions and recurring funding obligations.Also called: Family Business Pension Plan · Cash Balance Plan

Strategy Group

Health, care and education planning

Medical decisions, care needs and education commitments affect cash flow, taxes, insurance, estate documents and family responsibilities. Planning should connect the financial resources with the people and decisions they are intended to support.

01Health care and Medicare planningBuilds a timeline for employer coverage, Medicare enrollment, supplemental or Medicare Advantage choices, prescription coverage, income-related premiums and out-of-pocket medical reserves.Also called: Medical planning · Retirement health care planning

02Health savings account planningCoordinates HSA eligibility, contributions, investment choices, qualified medical reimbursements and recordkeeping with current coverage and long-term retirement health expenses.Also called: HSA planning · Health Savings Account

03Long-term care and extended-care planningEstimates the potential cost and family impact of help at home, assisted living, memory care or nursing care, then compares self-funding, traditional coverage, hybrid policies and available public benefits.Also called: Extended care planning · Long-term care insurance

04Disability income and care contingency planningMeasures the effect of an illness or injury on earned income, business value, caregiving and household expenses, then coordinates reserves, employer benefits and individually owned coverage.Also called: Disability income planning · Disability protection

05Education funding and 529 plan designSets a funding target and coordinates 529 plans, taxable assets, family contributions and available education tax benefits with the student’s timeline and the family’s other priorities.Also called: 529 education planning · College funding

06Education cash-flow and family giftingCompares annual tuition payments, direct payments to an educational institution, 529 contributions, trusts and other family resources across multiple students and generations.Also called: Tuition gifting · Multigenerational education funding

07Special-needs and ABLE planningCoordinates an eligible person’s ABLE account, special-needs trust, beneficiary designations, public benefits and family support so resources improve quality of life without avoidable benefit disruption.Also called: ABLE account · 529A planning · Special needs planning

Strategy Group

Insurance design, illustration and policy review

Many labels in the source list are illustration modules rather than distinct strategies. Helix uses them as comparison tools inside a documented planning need.

01Policy ledger and in-force reviewReviews current and guaranteed policy values, premiums, loans, dividends or crediting assumptions, death benefit and lapse risk using carrier in-force ledgers.Also called: Ledger · Policy Review CV · Policy Review DB

02Permanent insurance comparisonCompares permanent policies and term-plus-investment alternatives using common premium, duration, tax and return assumptions, including internal rates of return on accessible value and death benefit.Also called: Perm vs Other Company Perm · Perm-Term Tax-Equiv IRR Comparison

03Blended whole life and term designCombines permanent and term coverage—within one design or as separate policies—to match a base lifetime need with a larger temporary need.Also called: Whole Life with Q Combo · WL and Separate Term Combo · Lifetime Protection Builder

04Whole life flexibilityTests how a participating whole life or index-linked policy may respond to premium changes, dividends or crediting outcomes, paid-up additions, withdrawals and loans.Also called: Index Participation Array

05Personal liability and high-value asset protectionReviews personal umbrella liability, home, auto, valuables, watercraft, cyber and other specialized property-and-casualty coverage against the assets, activities and risks of the household.Also called: Umbrella liability · High-value property and casualty review

Research Foundation

Primary regulatory and tax resources.

The library uses current public guidance as a starting point. Rules and your circumstances change, so implementation requires advice from the appropriate licensed and legal professionals.

Medicare.gov — Medicare costs IRS — Health savings accounts and tax-favored health plans IRS — Tax benefits for education and 529 plans IRS — Like-kind exchanges of real estate CME Group — Index options box spreads as a financing tool OCC — Options disclosure document SEC Investor.gov — Private placements IRS — Charitable remainder trusts IRS — Donor-advised funds IRS — IRA distributions and qualified charitable distributions IRS — Gift tax questions and current exclusion context IRS — Split-dollar life insurance regulations IRS — Employer-owned life insurance reporting IRS — Executive compensation compliance SEC — Rule 10b5-1 amendments and insider trading arrangements U.S. Department of Labor — ERISA resources IRS — Passive activity and real estate professional rules IRS — Research credit IRS — Defined benefit plan Department of Labor — Cash balance pension plan FAQs IRS — Life cycle of a private foundation IRS — Form 8283 noncash contribution instructions

Important planning information

This material is educational and is not individualized investment, legal, tax, accounting or insurance advice. Strategy availability and results depend on your circumstances, current law, underwriting, product terms and professional implementation. No strategy eliminates risk, and tax outcomes are not guaranteed. Insurance services are offered only where appropriately licensed. Separately licensed representatives may receive insurance commissions, which creates a conflict of interest described in the firm's disclosures.

Begin

Bring the full picture.

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Advanced strategies, evaluated as one connected wealth system.

A strategy is useful only when it fits the whole plan.

One accountable center for a multidisciplinary plan.

Diagnose

Compare

Coordinate

Monitor

Primary regulatory and tax resources.

Bring the full picture.