Creating a special needs trust is an important milestone—but signing the document is not the same as completing the plan.

In this episode of Secured Steps, Jeff Llewellyn explores a question families may not ask until it is too late: Will the money in a special needs trust last throughout the beneficiary’s lifetime?

Jeff discusses why the trust’s starting balance does not tell the whole story, how inflation and changing support needs can affect the plan, and why families should think carefully about the expenses the trust may be expected to cover. He also explains the importance of modeling different scenarios, stress-testing assumptions, coordinating trust distributions with government benefits, and periodically revisiting the plan as circumstances change.

The episode also examines potential funding sources, including family savings, ABLE accounts, support from extended family members, and life insurance, while emphasizing that no single strategy is appropriate for every family.

Jeff Llewellyn is a Principal at Rockwood Wealth Management, an independent wealth management firm based in New Hope, Pennsylvania. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, a Chartered Special Needs Consultant®, and the father of an adult daughter with autism.

Learn more about Rockwood’s special needs financial planning services at:

www.rockwoodwealth.com/snfp

This podcast is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized financial, investment, tax, legal, or benefits advice. Special needs trusts and government-benefit rules are highly fact-specific and may vary by state. Consult qualified professionals who understand your family’s circumstances before implementing a planning strategy.