The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA) lowered the top marginal rate for estate taxation, called for a gradual increase in the estate tax exemption (the amount of an estate that is untaxed) to $3.5 million, and called for a complete elimination of the tax in 2010.

However, a sunset provision in the law implies that the estate tax will reappear again in 2011, with an exemption of only $1 million and at a higher marginal rate.

How should this sunset provision affect the savings and charitable giving rates of the elderly prior to 2011 and subsequent to 2011?