Sudden Wealth: Checklist for Making the Most of a Windfall

From predictable windfalls like inheritances and bonuses to unexpected money like lottery wins and life insurance benefits, many people have a difficult time handling sudden wealth. In this guide, moneyland.ch offers useful tips for avoiding the so-called “sudden wealth syndrome” and for getting the maximum benefit out of windfalls.

1. Think ahead

Have you ever given any serious thought to what you would do with an extra 10,000 francs, or 100,000, or 1 million? Creating a contingency plan for the possibility of a windfall may seem silly, especially if you have no reason to expect a windfall. But it gives you the opportunity to rationally consider what you would want that money to do for you, and how you would avoid pitfalls.

2. Keep a low profile

The very human desires to share the joy and flaunt your fortune are not your friend when it comes to windfalls. In the case of very large amounts of money, even telling people who are close to you about your gain can have adverse consequences. Though it may require discipline, it is generally beneficial to keep your newly-acquired money a secret – at least until you have created and enacted a solid financial plan.

3. Account for possible reductions

The initial amount you receive may not be the final amount that actually belongs to you. There are a number of possible reductions that you may only become aware of later on. These may include:

• Taxes: It can take some time before you receive the tax bills for income taxes, inheritance taxes, capital gains taxes for real estate sales, and other levies. In the case of lottery winnings, you only find out how much income tax you must pay once you pay your final tax bill and recover the withholding tax deducted from your lottery winnings.
• Corrections in arrears: You may be required to pay back part of the money if the initial amount was based on incorrect information, or certain information was unknown at the time. In the case of inheritances, for example, it is not uncommon for corrections to be made in arrears in order to equalize mandatory inheritance shares.
• Fees and charges: Legal fees, notary fees, real estate agent fees, and bank fees are just some of the possible fees and charges that may be generated when you receive a windfall.
• Debt collection: If you have debts, your windfall may count towards assets that can be seized by your creditors to repay your debts. 

4. Put the money on hold

In the days, weeks, or months after you receive a windfall, you will likely be too emotionally affected to make sound financial decisions. The urge to spend is often particularly strong during that time. Because of that, it can be beneficial to protect your new wealth from yourself until the euphoria subsides.

The waiting period should be anywhere from just weeks in the case of a small windfall to a year or more if the amount is substantial. It can be helpful to place the money in a fixed deposit account or medium-term notes for the duration of the waiting period to make it difficult for you to access.

5. Prioritize long-term financial wellbeing

Many people who receive windfalls end up using them for consumer spending like travel, cars, fashion, and leisure activities, among other things. However, if you want to get the most out of a windfall, it is important to prioritize long-term benefits.

6. Create a budget

Having a large lump-sum of capital gives you a unique opportunity to earn returns that can supplement your income. If the returns are equal to your previous income, you may even be able to stop working altogether without changing your budget.

Ideally, you should initially maintain the same lifestyle and budget that you had before you received the windfall. As your money begins to yield returns, you can use those returns to supplement your income, and increase your budget to match.

If you do not yet have a budget, creating one can help you to avoid losing control of your spending. You can find a useful budgeting tool on moneyland.ch.

7. Create a financial plan

Once the money has been safely put on hold, you should use the waiting period to create a clear financial plan for your windfall.

Some Swiss banks, robo advisors, and other financial service providers offer withdrawal plans. With this kind of plan, your capital is invested in a portfolio that matches your risk tolerance. You then specify an amount that you want to have paid out either monthly or annually.

8. Only spend the returns

If you want to get the maximum benefit out of your windfall, then you should invest the money rather than spending it. In this arrangement, you only spend the interest or returns that your money earns. The windfall itself remains largely untouched, while the returns continue to provide you with a supplemental income indefinitely. 

You can use the perpetual annuity calculator on moneyland.ch to simulate different scenarios based on the actual size of your windfall. The four-percent rule can be useful if you choose to invest your windfall in the stock market.

9. Stick to tried-and-proven investments

It is generally best to stick with simple, clear investment solutions that you understand. Avoid investing in ventures that you do not fully understand. Investments like cryptocurrencies, and private equity are often complicated and come with a high risk of losing money. The same generally applies to investments that require a lot of know-how, such as investing in real estate or alternative assets (classic cars, fine art, watches, wine, or whisky, for example). It is also important to be aware of investment scams.

If you have low risk tolerance and/or little financial know-how, then you should look at interest-based investment solutions from Swiss banks, like savings accounts, fixed deposits and medium-term notes.

If you plan to leave the money invested for at least 10 years, as would be the case with a financial plan based on the four-percent rule, then investing in the stock market can potentially yield much higher returns. The least complicated way to invest in the stock market is to use an affordable Swiss robo advisor or conventional asset management service. The service provider helps you choose a portfolio that matches your risk tolerance. You simply transfer the money to your investment account and the service provider handles the rest.

If you have some investment know-how, you can also consider using an affordable online stockbroker to invest in a low-cost ETF that tracks a broadly diversified stock index (a global index, for example). This is generally cheaper than using an asset management service. You can compare Swiss stockbrokers using the online trading comparison.

10. Compare offers

When dealing with large amounts of money, even relatively small differences in interest rates, fees, and charges can quickly amount to hundreds or even thousands of francs per year. Instead of simply using your go-to bank, take the time to compare savings accounts, medium-term notes, asset management services, and stockbrokers.

Be cautious of bank employees, insurance agents, and financial advisors that promote products from just one or a few service providers. Often, the profits or sales commissions they earn can result in a conflict of interests.

11. Review your tax situation

Getting a windfall can drastically change your financial situation, especially if the amount is very large. The money itself – including bank account balances and investments like stocks, bonds, precious metals, and other assets – counts towards your taxable wealth. The dividends and interest you earn with your invested capital are subject to Swiss income taxes. Capital gains, on the other hand, are not normally taxable.

12. Do your homework before you buy a home

Often, recipients of inheritances and other financial bonanzas use the money to finance a home. However, owning your own home is not always optimal, from a financial perspective. The home rent or buy calculator on moneyland.ch makes it easy to calculate whether owning your own home is actually cheaper than renting.

If you want to invest in Swiss real estate because you believe it will keep its value, then you could also consider putting part of your money into real estate funds or stocks. That way, your money is broadly diversified across many different properties instead of just one or two. You can find useful information in the guide to investing in Swiss real estate.

If you do choose to buy a home, it is important to beware of the many possible pitfalls. Some of these are explained in the list of things to consider before buying a home in Switzerland.

More on this topic:
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Bank accounts and taxes: questions and answers
Taxes on dividends and capital gains in switzerland explained
Lotteries in switzerland: a practical guide