Gifts of Retirement Assets
Donating part or all of your unused retirement assets, such as your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), pension or other tax-deferred plan, is an excellent way to make a gift to the charity(ies) of your choice.
If you are like most people, you probably will not use all of your retirement assets during your lifetime. You can make a gift of your unused retirement assets to help further the mission the charity(ies) of your choice.
Benefits of gifts of retirement assets
- Avoid potential estate tax on retirement assets.
- Your heirs would avoid income tax on any retirement assets funded on a pre-tax basis.
- Receive potential estate tax savings from an estate tax deduction.
How to make a gift of retirement assets
To leave your retirement assets to the charity(ies) of your choosing, you will need to complete a beneficiary designation form provided by your retirement plan custodian. Whichever charity(ies) you designate as beneficiary, we will benefit from the full value of your gift because your IRA assets will not be taxed at your death. Your estate will benefit from an estate tax charitable deduction for the gift.
More on gifts of retirement assets
Did you know that 60%-70% of your retirement assets may be taxed if you leave them to your heirs at your death? Another option is to leave your heirs assets that receive a step-up in basis, such as real estate and stock, and give the retirement assets to the charity(ies) of your choice. As a charity, they are not taxed upon receiving an IRA or other retirement plan assets.