Bequests and retirement assets

Making a gift through your will or trust, or making a gift through your retirement plan or insurance policy, can be an easy, tax-efficient way to plan your giving. Here are three simple ways to help Dramatic Adventure Theatre flourish forever.

Make a charitable bequest. This is the most popular form of planned gift. By leaving money or other assets to Dramatic Adventure Theatre in your will or trust, you can reduce your possible estate tax, so the cost to your family members can be significantly less than the face value of the bequest. Making a charitable bequest is great way to make a more significant (and specific) impact with a more sizable donation. A bequest can be used to honor or memorialize a loved one through the establishment of a fund. It may also enhance the value of your estate and it will certainly demonstrate your values for your children and heirs. You can change your mind about a bequest at any time, which is attractive to many who are considering a future gift.

Make a retirement plan designation. Designating all or part of what remains of your retirement plan after your death can be a very tax-efficient way to make a gift to Dramatic Adventure Theatre. As IRAs are usually funded with untaxed dollars, they are subject to income tax as well as estate tax. This double tax may leave heirs with as little as 30% of the plan's value. Dramatic Adventure Theatre would receive all of it tax free. To make a gift from your IRA, simply request a form from your plan administrator.

Make an insurance policy designation. Beneficiaries may pay estate tax on insurance distributions. Non-profit organizations never do. You can minimize estate taxes by designating all or part of the proceeds of your life insurance policy to Dramatic Adventure Theatre. To make a life insurance designation, simply ask your insurance company for a beneficiary designation form.

You can help us make the best use of your gift by telling us about it. We're happy to answer your questions, and we may even be able to show you how to increase the impact of your gift. With your permission, we would like to welcome you into our planned giving recognition circle, the William Jesse Griffin Society, to acknowledge your thoughtful philanthropy and encourage others to follow in your footsteps. Please rest assured that we will respect your wishes and your privacy. Conversations about your future plans will be kept strictly confidential.

We hope you'll consider getting in touch with us to tell us about your intentions, or to discuss your options.

Thank you for making the show go on forever!

PLEASE NOTE: This information is intended for educational purposes only. We strongly recommend that you consult an attorney to prepare your will and supervise its execution so as to comply with your state requirements.

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