Effective  January 1, 2010, anyone with a traditional IRA became eligible to convert part or all of the account to a tax-free Roth IRA.  The “fly in the ointment” is that funds transferred from regular IRAs into Roth IRAs are treated as taxable income.

The decision to convert to a Roth IRA hinges on a wide variety of factors, such as a person’s current and projected income tax rates, age, capability of paying the “conversion tax” (without using IRA money) and ability to let the Roth account grow undisturbed as long as possible.  Obviously, you should consult with your professional advisers, who may suggest a strategy of increasing your itemized deductions in the year of conversion.

Friends who support the American Red Cross might find the timing right for important gifts that can be deducted against the taxable income created by a Roth IRA conversion.  For example, IRA owners could “bunch” several years’ worth of annual contributions into one large gift.  Suppose you contribute $5,000 to the Red Cross every year.  In the year of your Roth IRA conversion, you could make five years’ worth of gifts ($25,000) all at once, possibly using appreciated securities, and thereby reduce your “conversion tax.” Or you might accelerate a gift you had planned to make through your will into a lifetime contribution.

Charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts can also provide large deductions, plus lifetime income and additional flexibility in one’s tax and financial planning.   People planning to convert very large IRAs might consider establishing “grantor” charitable lead annuity trusts that make payments for a fixed time period to qualified organizations, then returns all trust assets to the donor or the donor’s family.

One particularly appealing gift vehicle for creating large deductions is the deferred payment charitable gift annuity.  For example, if you are 60 and would like to convert $25,000 from your traditional IRA into a Roth IRA, you will be taxable on that $25,000 — unless you can somehow come up with additional itemized deductions.

You might decide to transfer $60,000 from your money market account for a deferred payment charitable gift annuity.  The gift annuity would begin paying you $5,160 (8.6%) at age 70, but you also receive an immediate income tax deduction of about $25,000 that virtually erases the Roth IRA conversion tax.  After five years, all withdrawals from your Roth IRA will be tax exempt, and a portion of your future charitable gift annuity payments will be tax free, as well.  Your charitable gift annuity agreement can contain an option to start payments before age 70, at reduced levels.

The most important ingredient in all these strategies is a desire to support the humanitarian programs of the American Red Cross. Your gift supports the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross in your community, across the country and around the world. Our office would be pleased to help with illustrations of gift plans that will be of assistance to you and your advisers.

Revisit Your Healthcare Directives.  Your living will or healthcare power of attorney (proxy) should be reviewed annually to ensure that your needs and treatment wishes are unchanged – and that the person designated to make health care decisions for you is still willing and able to serve.   If you haven’t yet arranged for someone to make healthcare decisions if you are incapacitated, you can find standard forms for living wills and health care powers of attorney from your state medical association or at the following websites: National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization; Center for Practical Bioethics; U.S. Living Will Registry.

Maximize Your Retirement Savings.If you’re still working, try to contribute the maximum permitted to your IRA, 401(k) or other retirement plans.  For people over 50, the limit is $6,000 for IRAs and $22,000 for 401(k)s.  If your employer provides a partial match to your savings, contribute at least the amount needed to earn the maximum match. Ask your adviser about switching from a traditional IRA to a tax-free Roth IRA (see article in this issue).

Plan for Emergencies.Financial planners suggest establishing a fund that would pay living expenses for three to six months, in case your usual sources of income dry up.    The size of your fund will depend on such factors as family income, the number of income earners, your assets, debts and insurance costs.

Examine Your Estate Plan.It’s important that every will or living trust be reviewed and possibly revised periodically to reflect changes in your family and financial situations, new tax laws or other events.  For example you may have relocated to a state that has different “death tax” rules, or your executor may have died or moved away, or you now may wish to add a new beneficiary, such as the American Red Cross.  To make a small change in your will, you might need only a “codicil” (an amendment that will preserve most of the provisions of your existing will). In reviewing your estate plan be sure to consider transfers that occur outside your will, from joint ownership, life insurance, retirement plans and other beneficiary designations.

Make a Gift to the Red Cross.We hope you’ll continue supporting the American Red Cross as part of your 2010 planning. Your gift supports the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross in your community, across the country and around the world. The rebound in the stock market makes it attractive to give appreciated securities, held more than one year.  You can deduct the full fair market value of your investment while avoiding all capital gains taxes.  As you review your retirement plan, consider making the Red Cross a beneficiary.  Leaving an IRA or other retirement plan benefits avoids both income taxes and “death taxes” that otherwise would be paid by your estate or heirs.  We would also be pleased to talk with you about gifts that provide lifetime payments to you or a family member.

To learn more about Gift Plan options, contact the Gift Planning Office at 1-800-797-8022, ext. 5, plndgiving@usa.redcross.org or log on to www.redcrosslegacy.org.

Step 1: Initiate Transfer

There are two common methods of gifting securities to the American Red Cross. The first is Electronic transfer through which your broker can transfer shares using the Red Cross DTC number. The other is physically mailing the paper certificates to the Red Cross Treasury department. Either method is acceptable, but it is necessary for you to contact your broker to initiate the transfer. Click here to download a sample letter for your use.

Step 2: Choose the Method of Delivery

Choose one of the two available brokerage accounts open for accepting electronic transfers, or choose the mail delivery option below:

A. Securities Delivered Electronically
Donate your stock to the American Red Cross through Muriel Siebert and Co., Inc., and they will sell the stock commission-free through the Siebert Charitable Stock Donation Program. Click here to learn more.

Muriel Siebert and Co., Inc.
C/O National Financial Services
DTC Number: 0226
ACCT Name: American Red Cross (Tax ID# 53-0196605)
ACCT Number: A72-627844

Or donate your stock through:
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
1737 King Street, Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22314
DTC Number: 0015
ACCT Name: American Red Cross (Tax ID# 53-0196605)
ACCT Number: 630-038267

B. Securities Delivered by Mail
Mail your unendorsed certificate(s) with a Stock Waiver Form and Stock Power Form, in separate envelopes, by registered mail, to:
American Red Cross Treasury Operations
2025 E Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20006

Note: Certificates already registered in the name of the American Red Cross do not require either the stock waiver or stock power for execution of the transfer.

Step 3: Notify the Red Cross

Regardless of the method chosen to deliver a gift of stock; the donor needs to provide us some information about the gift for audit and acknowledgment purposes. Notify Us Now.

Or send a letter or an e-mail to communicate the information below at the time of transfer:

• Donor’s full name and complete address
• Name and number of securities transferred
• Name of brokerage house shares will be transferred to (i.e. Morgan Stanley or Muriel Siebert)
• Date of the transfer
• Specific American Red Cross program or chapter to which gift should be directed, (if any)

Send to:
American Red Cross
Attn: Gift Planning
2025 E Street, NW
Washington, DC, 20006
E-mail: PlndGiving@usa.redcross.org
Phone: (800) 797-8022 option 5
Fax: (202) 303-0044

What is a Planned Gift?
A planned gift is one which is legally set up during the donor’s lifetime, with the principal benefit generally not accruing to the Red Cross until some future date, often after their death. Planned gifts offer the greatest opportunity for individuals to make their largest gift to the Red Cross, often referred to as an “ultimate gift.” A planned gift can help donors accomplish more through their giving than they may have thought possible.

Not sure how our gift plans can meet your financial goals, or if you’re already considering certain giving options, simply click on Tools and Resources to explore your options.

Or if you simply would like the American Red Cross Gift Planning Officer to contact you to discuss  options available, click here for   Amy Gross, PhD.

If you have already arranged for a bequest or other planned gift, we would like to honor your support please notify us.

• Gift for a Specific Purpose: A gift that is to be used for a specific purpose

I give, devise, and bequeath to the American National Red Cross, Washington, DC and / or the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the American Red Cross, Los Angeles, CA,  the sum of $_______ to be used for [state specific purpose, program or activity].

• Residuary Bequest: Leaves any remainder after all other bequests have been paid

I give, devise, and bequeath to the American National Red Cross, Washington, DC and / or the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the American Red Cross, Los Angeles, ________ percent of the residue of my estate to be used for it’s general purposes.

• Contingency Gift: Takes effect only if a primary intention can’t be met.

In the event that ____________ predeceases me, I give, devise, and bequeath his/her bequest or share to the American National Red Cross, Washington, DC and / or the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the American Red Cross, Los Angeles, CA, to be used for it’s general purposes.

* Rather than leaving a sum certain, you can include language that refers to a percentage of your estate or a description of the property you wish to give.

Bequest provisions designated for a specific program or activity require additional language. Unless otherwise designated, all gifts given to the American National Red Cross will be placed in the Endowment Fund for permanent investment, with the income being used to finance Red Cross services. If you wish for your bequest to benefit your local chapter, please make certain this is clearly stated. It is best to contact the Red Cross in advance to ensure that your wishes are properly understood.

For more information
Email us at grossa@arcla.org or call Amy Gross, PhD, Gift Planning Officer,  at (310) 441-2685 so that she can assist you through every step of the process.

Actuarial
As used in gift planning, refers to the factors used to calculate the value of lifetime payments to individuals or organizations.

Appreciated Property
Securities, real estate, or any other property that has risen in value since the benefactor acquired it. Generally, appreciated property held by the donor for a year or more may be donated at full fair market value with no capital gains cost.

Annuity
A contractual arrangement to pay a fixed sum of money to an individual at regular intervals. The charitable gift annuity is a gift to that secures fixed lifetime payments to the benefactor and/or another individual.

Adjusted Gross Income (“AGI”)
The sum of an individual’s taxable income for the year is the total at the bottom of the first page of Form 1040. Individuals may deduct charitable cash contributions up to 50% of AGI; they may deduct gifts of appreciated securities and appreciated property up to 30% of AGI.

Appraisal
An assessment of the value of a piece of property. Benefactors contributing real or tangible personal property (art, books, collectibles, etc.) must secure an independent appraisal of the property to substantiate the value they claim as a charitable deduction.

Basis
The benefactor’s purchase price for an asset, possibly adjusted to reflect subsequent costs or depreciation. If Mrs. Quinn bought stock for $100 per share and sold it for $175, her cost basis in the stock is $100 per share.

Beneficiary
The recipient of a bequest from a will or a distribution from a trust.

Bequest
A transfer of property or cash to an individual or organization under a will.

Capital Gains Tax
A federal tax on the appreciation in an asset between its purchase and sale prices.

Cost Basis
See Basis, above.

Endowment Fund
The permanently held capital of a non-profit, income and/or principal from which is used to support ongoing projects and meet institutional opportunities.

Estate Tax
A federal tax on the value of the property held by an individual at his or her death (paid by individual’s estate, not the heirs or recipients of bequests). In contrast, state inheritance tax is applied to the value of bequests passing to beneficiaries; it is also paid by the estate before the distributions are made.

Executor
The person named in a will to administer the estate (known in some states as the “personal representative”).

Fair Market Value
The price that an asset would bring on the open market.

Grantor
The individual transferring property into a trust.

Income Interest
In a trust, the right to receive payments from the trust for lifetime or a term of years.

K-1 (also 1099-R)
The IRS forms that we send our life-income gift participants detailing how payments they received from their gifts during the year will be taxed.

Life Income Gift
A planned gift that makes payments to the benefactor and/or other beneficiaries for life or a term of years, then distributes the remainder to charity.

Personal Property
Securities, artwork, business interests and items of tangible property as opposed to “real property,” used in gift planning to refer to land and the structures built on it.

Personal Representative
See Executor, above.

Remainder Interest
In a trust, the portion of the principal left after the income interest has been paid to the beneficiary(ies). A charitable remainder trust pays income to the benefactor or other individuals and then passes its remainder to charity.

Remainderman
A legal term for the individual or organization who receives the trust principal after the income interest has been satisfied.

Testator
The individual making the will.

Trust
A transfer of property by the grantor to the care of an individual or organization, for the benefit of the grantor or others.

Trustee
An individual or organization carrying out the wishes of the person who established the trust (the “grantor”), paying income to the beneficiaries and preserving the principal for ultimate distribution.

2. Can the American Red Cross serve as Executor for an estate?
The American Red Cross National Headquarters and local Red Cross Chapters cannot serve as Executor for any estate due to potential liability and conflict of interest issues.

3. Can the American Red Cross serve as Trustee of a charitable trust?
In certain instances the American Red Cross, through its National Headquarters, can serve as trustee. Local Red Cross Chapters and other operating units are not authorized to serve as trustee. The American Red Cross may serve as trustee at the request of the donor if:

The contribution of cash or marketable securities to the trust is of appropriate value, usually a minimum of $150,000; and the trust provides for an irrevocable remainder interest to the American Red Cross of 100%.

OR

The contribution of cash or marketable securities to the trust is of appropriate value, usually a minimum of $250,000; and the trust provides for an irrevocable remainder interest to the American Red Cross of at least 50%.

OR

The contribution of real estate to the trust is of appropriate value; usually a minimum of $250,000 and the donor agrees to serve initially as their own trustee. The American Red Cross will then be named the successor trustee of the trust once the property has been sold.

4. What are the ways in which a donor can designate their gift to the American Red Cross through their will?
A donor can bequeath a sum certain or a percentage of their estate for either specific or general purposes. The gift can be designated to the American National Red Cross and/or a local American Red Cross Chapter.

5. How can I notify an American Red Cross Chapter about an estate gift?
Email us at grossa@arcla.org , or call Amy Gross, PhD at (310) 441-2685 so that she can assist you through every step of the process.

You may also notify our legal office at the following address:

American Red Cross
National Headquarters
2025 E Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
Attn: Renee Seager, Estate Specialist

6. Who can answer the bequest and legacy questions of an executor/trustee?
Please direct inquiries to Amy Gross, Gift Planning Officer, at  (310) 441-2685 or grossa@arcla.org.

7. Is the American National Red Cross and the local Chapters of the American Red Cross separate legal entities?
No. The American Red Cross is one legal entity. It is a tax-exempt organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The federal tax identification number is 53-0196605.

Frequently Asked Questions (For Donors)

1. What assets can I use to make a gift to ?
Generally speaking, during your lifetime you can make an outright gift of cash, securities or other property (e.g., real estate).

Through your will or with a distribution from a retirement plan or life insurance policy, your gift can be designated to in accordance with your wishes.

2. What sort of gift plans also return income to me?
You have the option of making a gift that returns income to you, your spouse, or other individuals, such as a charitable gift annuity, or charitable remainder unitrust or annuity trust.

3. What tax deduction will I receive for my gift?
Your tax benefits will depend on several factors: the type of gift, the time at which it is made, whether it is outright or deferred or has any income payments. In general, though, here are some guidelines:

• Outright gifts to generate a full income-tax charitable deduction. Outright gifts of appreciated securities are deductible at fair market value, with no recognition of capital gains — a great tax benefit!
• Gifts of personal property, like art, books and collectibles, are fully deductible so long as they are relevant to our mission. We can advise you on this point.
• Bequests do not generate a lifetime income tax deduction. They are exempt from estate tax.
• Similarly, life insurance distributions to are not income-tax deductible, but are exempt from estate tax. If you have made us the irrevocable owner and beneficiary of a policy during your lifetime, you may deduct annual gifts that offset premium payments (for more details on this point, see Question 4 below).
• The charitable deduction for a gift that returns income to you, such as a charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust, is the fair market value of the gift asset minus the present value of the income interest you retain.

4. I want to set up a life insurance policy, name as beneficiary, but retain ownership of the policy. Can I deduct the premium payments I make?
No. The IRS would not consider that a “completed gift” – they’d say that, as the owner of the policy, you could change the beneficiary designation to a friend or family member. We must be made the irrevocable owner of the policy for gifts offsetting premium payments to be deductible.

5. I’ve heard that transferring gifts of IRA assets to charity are advantageous. Why?
Qualified retirement plans such as IRAs, 401(k), 403(b), and Keoghs allow individuals to defer paying taxes on a portion of their income until the assets are withdrawn during retirement years. However, after a person’s death, these accounts are often exposed to income and estate taxes, at a combined rate that could rise to 75% or even higher on large taxable estates. The tax will be paid at some point—by your estate and your heirs unless contributed to charity. In other words, by giving retirement assets to charity you receive double benefits. Your estate and heirs will not be taxed on the portion that goes to charity and you will support !

6. I’d like to donate a painting. Will you determine its value for my income tax deduction?
The IRS requires that donors of artwork and collectibles secure an independent appraisal of the items to establish fair market value. The appraisal has to be related to the gift, too – an insurance appraisal won’t suffice. We can assist you on this point.

7. I’m interested in establishing a charitable gift annuity. What financial provisions will you make for the income payments to me and my spouse?
Your charitable gift annuity will be treated as a general obligation of , backed by all of our assets. We have an unbroken record in making timely payments to our annuitants, and that ongoing responsibility is a key element in our financial policies.

8. If I create a bequest or life-income gift, will you continue to ask me for annual contributions?
Your planned gift is a significant addition to our long-term financial strength and our ability to meet the challenges and opportunities the future will bring. However, today’s efforts are supported through annual gifts and we greatly appreciate and encourage any annual support you may want to consider.

Through your will or with a distribution from a retirement plan or life insurance policy, your gift can be designated to in accordance with your wishes.

2. What sort of gift plans also return income to me?
You have the option of making a gift that returns income to you, your spouse, or other individuals, such as a charitable gift annuity, or charitable remainder unitrust or annuity trust.

3. What tax deduction will I receive for my gift?
Your tax benefits will depend on several factors: the type of gift, the time at which it is made, whether it is outright or deferred or has any income payments. In general, though, here are some guidelines:

• Outright gifts to generate a full income-tax charitable deduction. Outright gifts of appreciated securities are deductible at fair market value, with no recognition of capital gains — a great tax benefit!
• Gifts of personal property, like art, books and collectibles, are fully deductible so long as they are relevant to our mission. We can advise you on this point.
• Bequests do not generate a lifetime income tax deduction. They are exempt from estate tax.
• Similarly, life insurance distributions to are not income-tax deductible, but are exempt from estate tax. If you have made us the irrevocable owner and beneficiary of a policy during your lifetime, you may deduct annual gifts that offset premium payments (for more details on this point, see Question 4 below).
• The charitable deduction for a gift that returns income to you, such as a charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust, is the fair market value of the gift asset minus the present value of the income interest you retain.

4. I want to set up a life insurance policy, name as beneficiary, but retain ownership of the policy. Can I deduct the premium payments I make?
No. The IRS would not consider that a “completed gift” – they’d say that, as the owner of the policy, you could change the beneficiary designation to a friend or family member. We must be made the irrevocable owner of the policy for gifts offsetting premium payments to be deductible.

5. I’ve heard that transferring gifts of IRA assets to charity are advantageous. Why?
Qualified retirement plans such as IRAs, 401(k), 403(b), and Keoghs allow individuals to defer paying taxes on a portion of their income until the assets are withdrawn during retirement years. However, after a person’s death, these accounts are often exposed to income and estate taxes, at a combined rate that could rise to 75% or even higher on large taxable estates. The tax will be paid at some point—by your estate and your heirs unless contributed to charity. In other words, by giving retirement assets to charity you receive double benefits. Your estate and heirs will not be taxed on the portion that goes to charity and you will support !

6. I’d like to donate a painting. Will you determine its value for my income tax deduction?
The IRS requires that donors of artwork and collectibles secure an independent appraisal of the items to establish fair market value. The appraisal has to be related to the gift, too – an insurance appraisal won’t suffice. We can assist you on this point.

7. I’m interested in establishing a charitable gift annuity. What financial provisions will you make for the income payments to me and my spouse?
Your charitable gift annuity will be treated as a general obligation of , backed by all of our assets. We have an unbroken record in making timely payments to our annuitants, and that ongoing responsibility is a key element in our financial policies.

8. If I create a bequest or life-income gift, will you continue to ask me for annual contributions?
Your planned gift is a significant addition to our long-term financial strength and our ability to meet the challenges and opportunities the future will bring. However, today’s efforts are supported through annual gifts and we greatly appreciate and encourage any annual support you may want to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions (For Professional Advisors)

1. What is the Federal tax identification number for the American Red Cross?
The federal tax identification number is 53-0196605.

2. Can the American Red Cross serve as Executor for an estate?
The American Red Cross National Headquarters and local Red Cross Chapters cannot serve as Executor for any estate due to potential liability and conflict of interest issues.

3. Can the American Red Cross serve as Trustee of a charitable trust?
In certain instances the American Red Cross, through its National Headquarters, can serve as trustee. Local Red Cross Chapters and other operating units are not authorized to serve as trustee. The American Red Cross may serve as trustee at the request of the donor if:

The contribution of cash or marketable securities to the trust is of appropriate value, usually a minimum of $150,000; and the trust provides for an irrevocable remainder interest to the American Red Cross of 100%.

OR

The contribution of cash or marketable securities to the trust is of appropriate value, usually a minimum of $250,000; and the trust provides for an irrevocable remainder interest to the American Red Cross of at least 50%.

OR

The contribution of real estate to the trust is of appropriate value; usually a minimum of $250,000 and the donor agrees to serve initially as their own trustee. The American Red Cross will then be named the successor trustee of the trust once the property has been sold.

4. What are the ways in which a donor can designate their gift to the American Red Cross through their will?
A donor can bequeath a sum certain or a percentage of their estate for either specific or general purposes. The gift can be designated to the American National Red Cross and/or a local American Red Cross Chapter.

5. How can I notify an American Red Cross Chapter about an estate gift?
Email us at grossa@arcla.org , or call Amy Gross, PhD at (310) 445-2685 so that she can assist you through every step of the process.

You may also notify our legal office at the following address:

American Red Cross
National Headquarters
2025 E Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
Attn: Renee Seager, Estate Specialist

6. Who can answer the bequest and legacy questions of an executor/trustee?
Please direct inquiries to Amy Gross, Gift Planning Officer, at  (310) 441-2685 or grossa@arcla.org.

7. Is the American National Red Cross and the local Chapters of the American Red Cross separate legal entities?
No. The American Red Cross is one legal entity. It is a tax-exempt organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The federal tax identification number is 53-0196605.

Maximize your deduction; minimize the gift details

Use cash to make your gift to

Claim your deduction against a larger portion of your adjusted gross income and make an immediate impact on

Afford a larger gift to – and avoid capital gains liability

Give appreciated stock or bonds held over one year

Buy low and give high – make a gift that costs you less than the benefit it delivers to us, while avoiding capital gains tax

Make a gift for ‘s future that doesn’t affect your cash flow or portfolio now

Put a bequest in your will (cash, specific property, or a share of the estate residue)

Today – a gift that costs you and your family nothing. Tomorrow – an estate tax deduction

Retain income benefits from the assets you give to – thus afford a larger gift

Create a charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder annuity trust or unitrust

Receive income for your lifetime; receive a charitable deduction; diversify your holdings

Reduce high tax liability now; gain additional income later

Establish a deferred gift annuity

A larger deduction and a higher income rate than other life-income gifts offer

Tap one of the most valuable assets in your portfolio to make a gift

Use real estate to make your gift to

Avoid capital gains tax, receive an income tax deduction – and have the option of a gift that doesn’t affect your lifestyle

Reduce gift and estate taxes and control the timing of passing assets to your children and grandchildren

Create a charitable lead trust which supports programs at for a fixed, finite period with the principal going to your heirs.

Reduce gift and estate taxes, and freeze the taxable value of growing assets before they pass to your family

Avoid capital gains liability on the transfer of a business or partnership interest

Contribute the partnership interest or closely-held stock to

Avoid capital gain liability, receive an income tax deduction, and utilize a gift asset you may have overlooked

Locate an overlooked asset that you can easily give to

Name as beneficiary of your retirement plan; leave other assets to family

Eliminate income tax on retirement plan assets; free up other property to pass to your heirs

Make an endowment gift from income rather than capital

Create a new life insurance policy, or donate a paid-up policy whose coverage you no longer need

Increase your ability to make a significant gift to

How it works

1. You name the American Red Cross as the beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k) or other qualified plan.
2. Any residual left in your plan when you die passes to the Red Cross tax-free.
3. New legislation extends the opportunity for donors aged 70½ and older to direct lifetime distributions from their IRAs to the Red Cross without incurring income tax liability on the withdrawal. The provision will be in effect for just the 2008 and 2009 tax years. Distributions to the Red Cross plus other charitable beneficiaries can total $100,000 per year, and must be made outright – they cannot fund a life-income gift. Just email us and we’ll be happy to give you more information about this new charitable incentive.

Benefits

• You can escape both income AND estate tax levied on the residual left in your retirement account by leaving it to the Red Cross.
• You can continue to take withdrawals during your lifetime.
• You can change your beneficiary if your circumstances change.
• You can elect to leave retirement plan assets to the Red Cross through your will or revocable trust instead.
• You can have the satisfaction of knowing that your hard-earned retirement assets will support the Red Cross when you are gone.

For more information
Email us at grossa@arcla.org or call Amy Gross, PhD, Gift Planning Officer,  at (310) 441-2685 so that she can assist you through every step of the process.