Six Ways to Leave Your Legacy

pauline By Pauline Quinn, MSAPM
Registered Principal, RJFS


There are many ways to approach charitable giving that provide both personal satisfaction and financial-planning benefits.

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If your Holiday Season includes charitable giving, Morey & Quinn Wealth Partners can help you develop a strategy to ensure you can live comfortably while giving wisely.

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Here are six charitable giving strategies to consider. They range from the simple and straightforward, to more detailed and complex.


OUTRIGHT GIFT

Best for – Those who give to a limited number of charities in relatively smaller amounts.

How it works – Choose what groups to contribute to, how much to contribute and – depending on the charity – how your gift is used. When contributing to charitable organizations designated 501(c)(3), churches and religious organizations, private foundations, or other nonprofits, you can deduct gifts and receive tax benefits.

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GIFT OF LIFE INSURANCE OR RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS

Best for – Givers who have an insurance policy no longer needed for its original purpose or who are looking to maximize a charitable gift by minimizing exposure to estate taxes.

How it works – Somewhat more complex than outright giving, but straightforward when compared with other charitable giving instruments. It provides a large benefit at relatively low cost and can be accomplished in several ways:

  • Existing contract: Ownership of an existing life insurance contract is transferred to a loved one or charitable organization. You pay a gift tax on a percentage of the policy’s value at transfer, but when it’s ultimately distributed, the payout won’t be taxed as part of your estate.
  • Wealth replacement: Instead of naming your heirs as a beneficiary on your retirement accounts, you maximize your charitable impact and tax protection by designating a charity as a beneficiary of the retirement account, those assets will distribute to the charity tax-free, and then you “replace” those assets in your estate by purchasing a life insurance policy to benefit the heirs.
  • Maximum gift: Use this strategy when the goal is to make a big impact with an existing asset, like property. Property is given to the charity and the tax savings is used to fund a life insurance policy with that same organization as beneficiary.

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST (CRT)

Best for – Givers who would like to create an income stream for themselves or loved ones while also establishing a charitable legacy.

How it works – A donation is made to a charitable trust. If a donation other than cash is made, those assets are typically liquidated shortly after being transferred into the trust for investment into an income-producing portfolio. Then you – and any other non-charity beneficiary you name – receive income based on the type of CRT. You receive an immediate tax deduction and, upon your death, or after a term of years [not to exceed 20], your designated charitable organization will receive the remainder of the assets in the trust.


CHARITABLE LEAD TRUST (CLT)

Best for – Givers who have an asset that will likely appreciate greatly in value and want to hang onto it while putting it to good use in the meantime – and enjoy some tax benefits.

How it works – A charitable lead trust “leads” with the gift as opposed to leaving it. It involves gifting an asset that is typically then sold and the proceeds reinvested, or the income-producing asset remains in trust. Income generated goes to the charity or charities of your choice for a for a fixed term, such as a set number of years or the life of one or more people, with the remaining principal or asset passing back to you or to your non-charity beneficiaries. Depending on your priorities, a qualified CLT is an effective planning tool that can serve to reduce federal estate, gift and/or income taxes.


PRIVATE FOUNDATION

Best for – Serious givers who are typically donating a substantial percentage of their annual incomes, or who have a specific philanthropic mission.

How it works – A foundation is created by an attorney with your philanthropic goals as its primary mission. The foundation must establish a board, make mandatory distributions and pay taxes on the foundation’s net-investment income. Records must be kept and reports made on the foundation’s grant-making and other activities.


DONOR ADVISED FUND (DAF)

Best for – Givers who desire a happy medium – the ease of direct giving with the potential to make a more organized, effective impact without the administrative duties and time required by a private foundation.

How it works – Because the funds are sponsored by a charitable organization, you can avoid the cost and upkeep associated with creating a foundation while still guiding grant-making decisions. An irrevocable contribution is made to the fund, typically with cash or marketable securities. You take a tax deduction, the assets are sold and reinvested, and you make grants based on your charitable goals.


NOW THAT YOU'VE GAINED SOME INSIGHT...

This Holiday Season is a good time to start outlining or revisiting your own charitable giving plan. The team at Morey & Quinn Wealth Partners can help you fine tune your charitable giving strategy.

Call 402.502.9900

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M&Q wishes you all the Happiest of Holidays and a Prosperous New Year!

 

Morey & Quinn Wealth Partners
Raymond James® LIFE WELL PLANNED.
Phone: 402.502.9900
Toll Free: 877.541.6593
11225 Davenport St, Suite 109


Any opinions are those of Pauline Quinn, and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected.

Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional.


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