2. The exclusion provided for by
58 T.C. 241">*241 OPINION
Respondent determined a deficiency in petitioner's Federal estate tax in the amount of $ 3,058.67. The issue for decision is whether a portion of two "supplementary" annuities acquired by decedent as beneficiary upon the death of her husband may be excluded from decedent's gross estate under
All of the facts have been stipulated and are 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*133 found accordingly.
Lyla B. Kleemeier (hereinafter referred to as the decedent), died on July 4, 1966, a resident of the City of Kirkwood, County of St. Louis, State of Missouri.
On July 7, 1966, Robert B. Kleemeier was appointed by the Probate Court of the County of St. Louis, Mo., as executor of decedent's estate, and is still acting in that capacity. At the time of the filing of the 58 T.C. 241">*242 petition herein, Robert B. Kleemeier resided in West Lafayette, Ind.
The executor filed a Federal estate tax return, Form 706, for the Estate of Lyla B. Kleemeier, with the district director of internal revenue, St. Louis, Mo.
Decedent was predeceased by her husband, Robert W. Kleemeier (hereinafter referred to as Robert), who died on April 16, 1966. During the period September 1, 1948, through August 31, 1949, Robert had been employed by Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., as a professor. From September 1, 1958, to the date of his death, Robert was employed by Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., as a professor.
On the date of Robert's death, he was the owner of an annuity contract, No. A-61555 issued on October 1, 1948, by Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association of America (hereinafter referred 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*134 to as TIAA). Robert was also the owner of an annuity certificate, No. P-15073, on the date of his death which had been issued on January 1, 1954, by College Retirement Equities Fund (hereinafter referred to as CREF). Each of these contracts would mature on December 1, 1980, when Robert reached age 65. Robert had received no payment under either contract at the date of his death.
Robert, Northwestern University, and Washington University, each contributed to the premium cost of the TIAA annuity. The contribution of each, the percentage contribution of each, and the total purchase cost of the TIAA annuity were as follows:
Percent | ||
Northwestern University | $ 337.56 | 3.10 |
Washington University | 3,806.09 | 34.93 |
Robert W. Kleemeier | 6,753.16 | 61.97 |
Total | 10,896.81 | 100.00 |
Robert and Washington University each contributed to the premium cost of the CREF annuity. The contribution of each, the percentage contribution of each, and the total purchase cost of the CREF annuity were as follows:
Percent | ||
Washington University | $ 3,806.08 | 47.9 |
Robert W. Kleemeier | 4,137.29 | 52.1 |
Total | 7,943.37 | 100.00 |
At all times material herein, Northwestern University and Washington University were organizations referred to in
On the date of Robert's death, the total values of the TIAA annuity contract and the CREF annuity certificate were in the amounts of $ 13,789.67 and $ 13,324.33, respectively. The values attributable to 58 T.C. 241">*243 Robert's contributions toward the purchase of the TIAA and CREF annuities were in the respective amounts of $ 8,546.58 and $ 6,919.75, which amounts represented 61.97 percent of the total value of the TIAA annuity and 52.1 percent of the total value of the CREF annuity.
The values of the TIAA and CREF annuities attributable to Robert's contributions toward the purchase cost as set forth above were included in the gross estate on the Federal estate tax return filed for Robert's estate. The balance of the values of the TIAA and CREF annuities on the date of Robert's death was excluded from his gross estate under the provisions of
The decedent was named as sole beneficiary in the TIAA and CREF annuities as of the time of Robert's death. No contingent beneficiary or beneficiaries were designated. No part of the proceeds of these annuities was payable to or received by Robert's estate. Both the TIAA contract and the CREF certificate 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*136 provided that the benefits thereunder would be paid to the beneficiary in accordance with such available method of settlement as should be elected by the annuitant or in the absence of such election by the annuitant, by the beneficiary after his death.
The TIAA annuity contract, No. A-61555, contained the following provision for payment to the beneficiary designated by the annuitant in the event of death prior to the first annuity payment:
18. Death Benefit Before First Annuity Payment. Upon surrender of this contract and receipt of due proof of the death of the Annuitant before annuity payments have begun, the Association will pay to the Beneficiary the equivalent of the Accumulation at the time of the Annuitant's death, under one of the methods of settlement described below. The method of settlement to become effective shall be elected by the Annuitant or, in absence of such election, by the Beneficiary after the Annuitant's death. Payments will begin on the first day of the calendar month next succeeding receipt of the contract and proof of death and will continue on the first day of subsequent calendar months.
Note: The amount of each payment under an elected settlement depends 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*137 on the amount of the Accumulation, the particular method elected, and in the case of Methods (1) and (2) the age and sex of the Beneficiary.
Method (1). An annuity payable during the lifetime of the Beneficiary, payments ceasing at death.
Method (2). Guaranteed instalments for 10 or 20 years, as elected, and if the Beneficiary survives such period, continuing thereafter as an annuity payable during the lifetime of the Beneficiary.
Method (3). Guaranteed instalments for such period as may be elected, provided that the election of a period of less than 10 years which would have resulted in payments of more than $ 100 a month shall be void and another election shall be made.
* * * Upon the death of any Beneficiary who survives the Annuitant by forty-eight hours, the Beneficiary's interest in any guaranteed instalments then remaining unpaid will be commuted and paid in one sum to his or her executors or administrators.
58 T.C. 241">*244 The CREF annuity certificate No. P-15073 contained the following provision for annuity benefits to beneficiary upon the participant's death:
10. Methods of Unit-annuity Settlement. Upon due proof of the death of the Participant before the Maturity Date, and upon receipt of this 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*138 certificate and the selection of one of the following methods of settlement, the Fund will begin payment to the Beneficiary of a Unit-annuity in accordance with such selection. The Participant may select the method of settlement or, in the absence of selection by him, the Beneficiary may make the selection.
Method (1) Life Unit-annuity. A Unit-annuity payable monthly during the lifetime of the Beneficiary, and ceasing at his death.
Method (2) Life Unit-annuity with a Minimum Guaranteed Period. A Unit-annuity payable monthly during the lifetime of the Beneficiary, with a guarantee that if at the death of the Beneficiary payments have been made for less than either
(a) 10 years, or
(b) 20 years
as selected, the Unit-annuity payments falling due during the balance of the minimum guaranteed period, or their equivalent, will be paid to a payee named when the selection is made. Such payments will be continued during the remainder of the minimum guaranteed period or, if selected, the present value thereof, determined in accordance with the rules of the Fund, will be paid in one sum.
Method (3) Unit-annuity Certain. A Unit-annuity Certain payable for a period selected, and ceasing at the end 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*139 of such period. This period shall be not less than five years.
Note: The Number of Annuity Units will depend on the method selected, the number of Accumulation Units, the values of Accumulation and Annuity Units, and for Methods (1) and (2) the age and sex of the Beneficiary.
11. TIAA Dollar Annuity for the Beneficiary. In lieu of selection of a Unit-annuity when available under Section 10, the following method of settlement may be selected.
Method (4). The Fund will pay the current value of all Accumulation Units standing to the Participant's credit at the time of payment to TIAA for the purchase of any type of immediate life annuity contract, or annuity certain contract continuing for at least five years, then issued by TIAA, on the Beneficiary's life. In making this purchase, the Beneficiary will have the same rights and be subject to the same conditions as any other person applying for a similar TIAA contract at that time. 2
After the death of Robert, decedent, pursuant to paragraph 18 of 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*140 TIAA contract No. A-61555, received TIAA contract No. S4221-4 which was issued to her for payment of the benefits provided for in TIAA contract No. A-61555. 3
58 T.C. 241">*245 After Robert's death, decedent, pursuant to paragraph 10 of CREF certificate No. P-15073, received CREF certificate No. N-371-0, which was issued to her for payment of the benefits provided for in CREF certificate No. P-15073. 4
At 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*141 the date of decedent's death, July 4, 1966, the total value of the TIAA contract No. S4221-4 issued to decedent was $ 13,420.47 and the total value of the CREF annuity certificate No. N-371-0 issued to decedent was $ 11,919.95.
TIAA contract No. S4221-4 was entitled "Immediate Annuity Contract -- Supplementary Contract" and CREF annuity certificate No. N-371-0 was entitled "Unit-Annuity Certain Supplementary Certificate." The "supplementary contract" and "supplementary certificate" each provided for payment over a period of 60 months. Under the designation "General Description," the TIAA contract No. S4221-4 provided as follows:
This is an immediate annuity certain contract issued for payment of the benefits provided in a previous contract. It provides payments for you as the Annuitant, for the period specified above. If you die within the Period of Annuity Payments, a further benefit will be payable to the Beneficiary. This benefit will be either continuation of the payments to the end of such period, or payment in one sum of the present value of such continued payments, whichever is designated above.
The CREF certificate No. N-371-0 carried language under the designation "General 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*142 Description" which was the same in every respect as that carried in the TIAA contract No. S4221-4 except that reference was made to "Unit-annuity certain certificate" instead of "annuity certain contract" and decedent was referred to as the "Participant" instead of as the "Annuitant."
TIAA contract No. S4221-4 provided that the "annuitant" and CREF certificate No. N-371-0 provided that the "participant" could change the method of payment, change the beneficiary to receive payment in case of her death prior to payment in full, and might during her lifetime, without the consent and to the exclusion of any other person, receive, exercise, and enjoy every benefit, option, right, and privilege conferred by the contract or allowed by TIAA (CREF).
TIAA contract No. S4221-4 carried the following provision:
9. Elections, Revocation of Election, and Changes. By filing written notice with TIAA at its home office in form satisfactory to TIAA, the Annuitant may elect a method of settlement in accordance with Section 2, revoke or change such election, change the Beneficiary or change the frequency of annuity or death benefit payments under Section 4. No such election, revocation, or change will take 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*143 effect unless received by TIAA at its home office, but upon being so received it will 58 T.C. 241">*246 take effect as of the date the notice was signed, whether or not the Annuitant is living at the time of such receipt. Such effect will be without prejudice to TIAA by reason of any payment made or other action taken by TIAA before such receipt.
CREF certificate No. N-371-0 carried substantially the same provision.
Decedent by endorsements attached to TIAA contract No. S4221-4 and CREF certificate No. N-371-0 designated the trustees under her will as the beneficiaries. Decedent was at no time during her life employed by either Northwestern University or Washington University and at no time during her life did she contribute funds toward the premium costs of any TIAA annuity contract or CREF certificate. 5
The Federal estate tax return filed by the executor of decedent's estate contained on Schedule I, "Annuities," the following:
Item | Subsequent | Alternate | Value at | |
No. | Description | valuation | value | date of |
date | death | |||
1 | Teachers Insurance Annuity | |||
Association retirement annuity of | ||||
Robert W. Kleemeier, died | ||||
Apr. 16, 1966, payable to widow, | ||||
Lyla B. Kleemeier, in monthly | ||||
installments, and payable in lump | ||||
sum on death of decedent herein, | ||||
to trustees designated by | ||||
decedent, value of employee's | ||||
contribution | $ 8,307.27 | |||
2 | College Retirement Equities | |||
Fund -- same as above | 6,210.29 | |||
Total (also enter under the | ||||
Recapitulation, Schedule 0) | 14,517.56 |
An 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*144 attached sheet marked "Schedule I" was as follows:
TIAA | CREF | |
Value at death of annuitant | $ 13,420.47 | $ 11,919.95 |
Employee's contribution | 61.97% | 52.1% |
Value of employee contribution | 1 $ 8,307.27 | $ 6,210.29 |
Respondent in his notice of deficiency increased the amount reported on "Schedule I -- Annuities" of the estate tax return by $ 10,822.86 with the following explanation:
It is held that the values of the two annuities which were reported on schedule I of the estate tax return should be increased as follows:
Description of payor | Value reported | Value determined | Increase |
on estate | herein | ||
tax return | |||
Teachers Insurance and Annuity | |||
Association | $ 8,307.27 | $ 13,420.47 | $ 5,113.20 |
College Retirement Equities Fund | 6,210.29 | 11,919.95 | 5,709.66 |
Totals | 14,517.56 | 25,340.42 | 10,822.86 |
58 T.C. 241">*247 The petition contained the following assignments of error, allegations of fact, and prayer with respect to the increase in the taxable estate by the $ 10,822.86:
4. The determination of tax set forth in respondent's notice of deficiency was based on the following errors:
* * * *
(c) Respondent erred in determining that the value of annuities of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association and College Retirement Equities 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*145 Fund, in the amounts of $ 8,307.27 and $ 6,210.29, respectively, as reported on Schedule I of petitioner's estate tax return, should be increased, and increasing the taxable values of said annuities by the amounts of $ 5,113.20 and $ 5,709.66.
(d) Respondent erred in disallowing the exclusion of the sums of $ 5,113.20 and $ 5,709.66 from values of annuities of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association and College Retirement Equities Fund, respectively, as reported on Schedule I of estate tax return, as exempt under
5. The facts upon which the petitioner relies to support the foregoing assignments of errors are as follows:
* * * *
(d) Decedent was the beneficiary recipient of employee's retirement annuity of Teachers Insurance Annuity Association, issued to Robert W. Kleemeier, decedent's husband, whose death preceded hers by less than three months. The present value of such annuity at decedent's death was $ 13,420.47, of which $ 8,307.27 was attributable to employee contributions of Robert W. Kleemeier. Decedent was also the beneficiary of employee's retirement annuity of the College Retirement Equity Fund, issued to her husband. The present 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*146 value of said annuity at the date of her death was $ 11,919.93 of which $ 6,210.29 was attributable to the employee's contribution. Said amounts were included in petitioner's estate tax return as taxable, and the remainder excluded as exempt under
Wherefore, petitioner prays that this court hear the proceedings and determine:
* * * *
2. That the respondent erred in determining that the values of annuities reported in petitioner's estate tax return should be increased by the amounts of $ 5,113.20 and $ 5,709.66, and increasing decedent's taxable estate by such amounts.
3. That there is no deficiency in petitioner's estate tax in respect to Schedules * * * I of estate tax return.
Petitioner on brief states the nature of the controversy to be as follows:
This is a proceeding for redetermination of estate tax liability by 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*147 reason of respondent's determination of deficiency based upon the inclusion in the gross estate of the value of annuities claimed by petitioner as not properly includable under
58 T.C. 241">*248 The issue is whether the value of annuities received by a beneficiary designated by decedent under contracts purchased for decedent's husband by contributions of both the husband and his employers, are excludable from decedent's gross estate under the provisions of
The argument in petitioner's brief is under two points stated by petitioner to be as follows:
In support of point I as set forth in petitioner's brief, the following is stated therein:
As the decedent, Lyla B. Kleemeier, was receiving payments by virtue of original annuity contracts issued to her deceased husband, and in actuality contributed nothing to the purchase price herself, the value of the annuities at her death were, by the language of subsection (b), not includable in her gross estate. Petitioner mistakenly included in the estate tax return a portion of the value of the annuities which was proportionate to the part of the purchase price contributed by decedent's husband.
Respondent in his reply brief contends that the issue raised by point I in petitioner's brief is not properly before the Court. He points out that petitioner in this issue is contending that no portion of the value of the annuities at the date of decedent's death was properly includable in decedent's gross estate. He states that were this issue decided in favor of petitioner, it would result in an overpayment. It is respondent's position that the only issue raised by the pleadings in this case is whether any portion of the value of the annuities 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*149 at the date of decedent's death was excludable under the provisions of
The petition alleged error on the part of respondent only in increasing the amount of the value of the annuities included in decedent's gross estate and in failing to exclude a portion of those annuities "as exempt under
Respondent argues that under the pleadings, point I of petitioner's brief raises a new issue, both with respect to a claimed decrease in the amount of the value of decedent's estate as reported on the return, and with respect to the basis for the exclusion claimed by petitioner. Respondent 58 T.C. 241">*249 states that petitioner on brief departs from the claim of an exclusion only under
Respondent contends that since 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*150 neither the assignments of error nor the facts alleged in the petition relate to any issue except respondent's denial of an exclusion from decedent's estate of that portion of the annuity not proportionate to the "value of employee's contribution," the issue posed by petitioner's point I is not properly raised under Rule 7 of our Rules of Practice and that we, therefore, should decline to consider this improperly raised issue.
We agree with respondent that petitioner has not properly raised in this case an issue with respect to the exclusion of all or any part of the value of the payments received by the trustees under decedent's will because of the TIAA and CREF annuity contracts, except with respect to respondent's disallowance of the exclusion claimed by petitioner under
However, 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*151 by raising an issue as to the includability of any portion of the annuities in decedent's gross estate under
We therefore conclude that it is necessary, to a clear understanding of our holding in this case, to point out why a decision that the 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*153 exclusionary provisions of
There was no counterpart of
It is clear from the legislative history of
Therefore, even if the value of the payments received by the trustees under decedent's will was not includable in decedent's estate under
It is obvious that if the contracts issued to decedent are considered to be separate contracts from the contracts owned by Robert prior to his death, the decedent in this case purchased those contracts by surrender of her rights as beneficiary under the contracts owned by Robert at the date of his death and the value of the contracts at the date of her death would be includable in her gross estate under
Under petitioner's interpretation of
Respondent takes the position that the exclusion provided for in
The regulations amplifying
58 T.C. 241">*255 Paragraph (3) was added to
Subsection (e) of section 24 of the bill is a committee amendment to
Subsection (e) of section 24 of the bill amends
The amendments made by subsection (e) of section 24 are applicable with respect to estates of decedents dying after December 31, 1957.
[Emphasis supplied. S. Rept. No. 1983, 85th Cong., 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*169 2d Sess. (1958),
The report of the Senate Finance Committee with respect to the addition of paragraph (3) to
Paragraph (3) of
We hold for respondent 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 132">*171 on the only issue presented for our decision but because of certain issues raised by the pleadings which have been disposed of by agreement of the parties,
Forrester,
1. All references are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 unless otherwise indicated.↩
2. It appears that CREF used a TIAA form contract for its annuity contracts and that the contract form used by CREF in 1954 contained provisions which were also applicable to prior TIAA contracts.↩
3. This statement is substantially a quotation from the stipulation of facts. However, par. 18 of Robert's TIAA annuity contract which is quoted in this opinion did not specifically provide for such a method of payment. In fn. 2
4. This is so stipulated. However, it would appear from the quotation in the opinion from CREF certificate No. P-15073 that par. 11 of that certificate provided for this method of payment.↩
5. This fact is stipulated by the parties but apparently is not intended to concern the question of whether the surrender of the original contract and certificate for the new contract and certificate constituted "payment" for the new contract and certificate.↩
1. 61.97% of $ 13,420.47 is $ 8,316.66.↩
6.
(a) General. -- The gross estate shall include the value of an annuity or other payment receivable by any beneficiary by reason of surviving the decedent under any form of contract or agreement entered into after March 3, 1931 (other than as insurance under policies on the life of the decedent), if, under such contract or agreement, an annuity or other payment was payable to the decedent, or the decedent possessed the right to receive such annuity or payment, either alone or in conjunction with another for his life or for any period not ascertainable without reference to his death or for any period which does not in fact end before his death.
(b) Amount Includible. -- Subsection (a) shall apply to only such part of the value of the annuity or other payment receivable under such contract or agreement as is proportionate to that part of the purchase price therefor contributed by the decedent. For purposes of this section, any contribution by the decedent's employer or former employer to the purchase price of such contract or agreement (whether or not to an employee's trust or fund forming part of a pension, annuity, retirement, bonus or profit sharing plan) shall be considered to be contributed by the decedent if made by reason of his employment.
(c) Exemption of Annuities Under Certain Trusts and Plans. -- Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or of any provision of law, there shall be excluded from the gross estate the value of an annuity or other payment receivable by any beneficiary (other than the executor) under -- (1) an employee's trust (or under a contract purchased by an employees' trust) forming part of a pension, stock bonus, or profit-sharing plan which, at the time of the decedent's separation from employment (whether by death or otherwise), or at the time of termination of the plan if earlier, met the requirements of section 401(a); (2) a retirement annuity contract purchased by an employer (and not by an employees' trust) pursuant to a plan which, at the time of decedent's separation from employment (by death or otherwise), or at the time of termination of the plan if earlier, was a plan described in section 403(a); (3) a retirement annuity contract purchased for an employee by an employer which is an organization referred to in (4) chapter 73 of title 10 of the United States Code.
It should be pointed out that the Tax Reform Act of 1969 amended
7. The final statement in petitioner's original brief is to the general effect that a payment excludable under subsec. 2039(c)(3) is not includable in decedent's gross estate under other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. As authority petitioner cites
Since we agree with respondent as to the inapplicability of
8. As originally adopted
(c) Exemption of Annuities Under Certain Trusts and Plans. -- Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or of any provisions of law, there shall be excluded from the gross estate the value of an annuity or other payment receivable by any beneficiary (other than the executor) under -- (1) an employee's trust (or under a contract purchased by an employees' trust) forming part of a pension, stock bonus, or profit-sharing plan which, at the time of the decedent's separation from employment (whether by death or otherwise), or at the time of termination of the plan if earlier, met the requirements of section 401(a); or (2) a retirement annuity contract purchased by an employer (and not by an employees' trust) pursuant to a plan which, at the time of decedent's separation from employment (by death or otherwise), or at the time of termination of the plan if earlier, met the requirements of section 401(a)(3). * * * *↩