Discover how gifting a retirement account can be a powerful form of legacy giving. Learn about the tax benefits, how to gift to a tax-deductible organization, and why it’s a great way to support a cause you care about.
When it comes to legacy giving, many people think of donating money or assets to a charitable organization. But did you know that you can also gift a retirement account as part of your legacy? Not only does this allow you to support a cause you care about, but it also comes with tax benefits for you and your heirs. In this article, we will explain what a retirement account is, how it can be gifted to a tax-deductible organization, and the benefits for the donor.
What is a Retirement Account?
A retirement account is a type of investment account that is designed to help you save for retirement. There are two main types of retirement accounts: employer-sponsored plans, such as 401(k)s, and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). These accounts offer tax benefits, such as tax-deferred growth and tax-deductible contributions, making them an attractive investment option for many people.
How Can a Retirement Account be Gifted to a Tax-Deductible Organization?
One way to gift a retirement account as part of your legacy is to name a tax-deductible organization as the beneficiary of the account. This means that when you pass away, the organization will receive the funds in your retirement account instead of your heirs. To do this, simply contact your retirement account provider and request a beneficiary change form. You can then name the organization as the beneficiary and designate what percentage of the account should go to the organization. It’s important to ensure that the organization is a qualified charity or non-profit, as not all organizations are eligible to receive tax-deductible donations.
What Are the Benefits for the Donor?
There are several benefits for the donor when gifting a retirement account to a tax-deductible organization. First and foremost, it allows you to support a cause that you care about and leave a lasting impact.
Additionally, the donation is tax-deductible, which means that you can receive a tax deduction for the full value of the account. This can help reduce the amount of income tax you owe, potentially resulting in significant tax savings.
Lastly, gifting a retirement account can help reduce your estate tax liability. When an individual passes away, their estate is subject to federal estate tax. However, gifts made to tax-deductible organizations are excluded from the donor’s taxable estate. This means that gifting a retirement account can help reduce the size of the donor’s taxable estate, potentially resulting in significant estate tax savings.
Choosing a Charitable Cause to Support
Giving to charity is a way to support a cause that aligns with your values and make a positive impact on the world. However, with so many charities out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one to support. Here are some tips for choosing a charity that aligns with your values, researching its financial health and impact, and establishing a relationship with the charity.
- Choose a Charity that Aligns with Your Values
The first step in giving to charity is finding one that aligns with your values. This can be a cause that you’re passionate about. You may want to consider factors such as the mission of the charity, its track record of success, and the impact it has made in the community.
- Research the Charity’s Financial Health and Impact
Before donating to a charity, it’s important to research its financial health and impact. This will help ensure that your donation is being used effectively and efficiently to make a real difference in the world.
You can start by looking at the charity’s financial statements and tax returns to see how they spend their money. This will give you an idea of how much of their budget goes towards their programs versus administrative and fundraising costs. Ideally, you want to choose a charity that spends at least 75% of its budget on its programs.
You should also look at the charity’s impact reports to see how effective their programs are in achieving their goals. A good charity should be able to measure and report on the impact they are making in the community. This can include metrics such as the number of people served, the outcomes achieved, and the cost per outcome.
- Establish a Relationship with the Charity
Once you’ve chosen a charity to support, it’s important to establish a relationship with them. This will help you understand the work they do, how your donation is being used, and how you can get involved to make an even greater impact.
One way to establish a relationship with a charity is to attend their events or volunteer with them. This can give you an opportunity to meet the staff and learn more about their work firsthand. You can also sign up for their newsletter or follow them on social media to stay up-to-date on their activities and impact.
Another way to establish a relationship with a charity is to reach out to them directly to ask questions or share your feedback. This can help them understand your interests and values, and tailor their communications to better engage and inform you.
Leave a Lasting Imprint on Hearts & Souls
With a charitable bequest to Rabbi Meir Baal Haness tzedakah in your will, you set us up as your messengers to replace difficulty and sadness with joy for many years to come.
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Leave a Lasting Imprint on Hearts & Souls
With a charitable bequest to Rabbi Meir Baal Haness tzedakah in your will, you set us up as your
messengers to replace difficulty
and sadness with joy for many
years to come.
Let’s Discuss Your Options
Join The Rebbe Meir Legacy Society
Retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s, IRAs, and Roth IRAs, can be excellent vehicles for charitable giving. By naming RMBH Charities as a beneficiary of your retirement account, you can make a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.
When you make a planned gift to Rebbe Meir Baal Hanes, you’ll become part of the Rebbe Meir Baal Haness Legacy Society, joining other supporters and friends who are making Rebbe Meir Baal Haness vision a reality.
Our charitable programs support a wide range of individuals and families in need. For example, our orphaned children program helps provide education, medical care, and basic necessities for children who have lost one or both parents. Through our food program, we provide meals and groceries to families struggling to put food on the table. Our wedding fund helps couples who cannot afford to get married and purchase the basics necessities for a new home. Our large range of programs have helped to change the lives of many struggling Israeli families, bringing hope and happiness in place of despair and difficulty.
By gifting your retirement account to RMBH Charities, you can help us continue to invest in the future of those we serve. Your charitable bequest can go to support one of the specific programs we’d like to launch that is waiting on the funding needed to bring it to fruition.
Is legacy gifting to Rebbe Meir Baal Haness already in your plans?
Please let us know so we can properly thank you and make sure your gift will be used as you’ve intended.
FAQs About Gifting Retirement Accounts
Can I gift a portion of my retirement account to a tax-deductible organization?
Yes, you can gift a portion of your retirement account to a tax-deductible organization. Simply specify the percentage or dollar amount that you would like to donate on the beneficiary designation form.
Are there differences between gifting retirement accounts, and IRA or Roth IRA accounts to charity?
Yes, there are differences between gifting retirement accounts, and IRA or Roth IRA accounts to charity. When gifting a retirement account to charity, the account holder will receive a federal tax deduction for the full fair market value of the account. However, when gifting an IRA or Roth IRA to charity, the account holder will not receive a federal tax deduction, as all withdrawals from these accounts are considered taxable income.
Furthermore, when gifting a retirement account to charity, the gifter will not have to pay any taxes on the withdrawal. However, when gifting an IRA or Roth IRA to charity, the gifter will have to pay taxes on the withdrawal, as the funds are considered taxable income.
How do I name RMBH Charities as a beneficiary of my retirement account?
Contact your retirement account provider and request a beneficiary designation form. On the form, you will be able to name RMBH Charities (Tax ID# 11-3471447) as a beneficiary and specify the percentage of the account you would like to donate.
We value our relationship with our donors, so we encourage you to inform us if you name us as beneficiaries of your retirement account so that we can keep in touch. Additionally, we would like to offer you the opportunity to specify which specific campaigns you would like your charitable bequest to support.
What happens if I name multiple beneficiaries for my retirement account?
If you name multiple beneficiaries for your retirement account, the assets will be distributed among them according to the percentage you designate. For example, if you have three beneficiaries and you designate each of them to receive 1/3 of the assets, then each will receive an equal share.
Can I change the beneficiary of my retirement account after I’ve named one?
Yes, you can change the beneficiary of your retirement account at any time by contacting your account provider and filling out a new beneficiary designation form.
Are there tax benefits to gifting a retirement account to charity?
Yes. By gifting your retirement account to charity, you can avoid income tax and estate tax on the donated amount. This can result in significant tax savings for your estate.
What happens to my retirement account if I don’t name a beneficiary?
Gifting a retirement account to a tax-deductible organization is a powerful form of legacy giving that offers several benefits for the donor. By naming a qualified charity or non-profit as the beneficiary of your account, you can leave a lasting impact and support a cause that you care about while also reducing your tax burden.
Be sure to consult with a financial advisor or estate planning attorney to determine if gifting a retirement account is the right choice for you.
Guide to Types of Bequests:
Choosing the Right Option
Gifting a Charitable Bequest
in Your Legacy Plan
How Gifting Stocks to Charity
Can Make a Difference
Guide to Gifting a Life Insurance
Policy to Charity as a Bequest
Embracing Philanthropy by
Gifting Charitable Gift Annuities
Charitable Lead Annuity Trust:
Balanced Approach to Philanthropy
Blended Gifts: A Flexible
and Impactful Charitable Gift
