But over the past year, and particularly since the acquisition last June of Scottish Widows, a life insurer, its shares have stagnated.

ECONOMIST: The next battle

It involves a tax break for widows and widowers that was made permanent by the American Taxpayer Relief Tax Act of 2012 after a two-year introductory period.

FORBES: The Deadline Every Married Person (And Financial Advisor) Needs To Know About

Folks with trusts, and that includes widows and the disabled, not just the ultra-wealthy, have been hit with a double tax whammy this year.

FORBES: Tax Hikes Hit Trusts Hard, Beneficiaries Pull Money Out