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I’m setting up brokerage accounts for my grandkids in my daughter’s name. Is that wise — or am I asking for trouble?

Advice column on setting up brokerage accounts for grandchildren. The author has been contributing $1,000 annually per grandchild (since 2021) into brokerage accounts invested in mutual funds tracking the S&P 500, small-cap and international equities. The column recommends simpler, fairer approaches — equal cash gifts, pooled “superfund” units via a trust, custodial accounts, or 529 plans — and flags estate-tax/step-up-in-basis considerations when accounts are held in the daughter’s name. Market impact is minimal; the piece mainly notes S&P 500 exposure as the core investment vehicle and outlines tax/estate structures that can affect long-term ownership and distribution.

Category

US 500

Sentiment

Neutral

Event

Market commentary

Reading time

1 min