Bequests & other Planned Gifts

Benefits of a Bequest

• It is not payable until death, so it won't affect assets or cash flow during your lifetime.
• It is revocable. You can change your will or trust at any time.
• It is private. Your will is not made public until your death.
• It is usually exempt from state inheritance tax.
• It is fully deductible for federal estate tax, and there's no limit on the deduction your estate can claim.

Bequest Options

• A specific amount (for example, $25,000)
• The balance or a percentage of the balance of your estate after expenses and other specific bequests are paid

Trusts

Trusts are useful in prserving privacy after death, caring for a spouse or other individuals for a period of time, managing assets and more.

Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust
A charitable remainder annuity trust allows a person to make gifts while still providing economic security for the donor and loved ones.

The donor may transfer assets to a trust from which payments are made to the donor and/or the donor's designees. Upon conclusion of the trust period, all assets remaining in the trust become the property of The Wildlands Conservancy.

Potential benefits to the donor can include increased income from low-yielding assets; the reduction or elimination of estate, capital gains and gift taxes; and diversification of investment assets. The charitable remainder annuity trust provides a fixed income based on the value of assets when the trust is created.

Charitable Remainder Unitrust
A charitable remainder unitrust offers the same benefits as the charitable remainder annuity trust; however, it pays a fluctuating income based on a fixed percentage of the trust's annual fair market value.

Charitable Lead Trust
A charitable lead trust provides immediate income for charitable purposes. It allows the donor to pass assets to heirs at a reduced cost to the donor upon termination of the trust. Charitable lead trusts are often used to pass substantial wealth from one generation to the next.

IRAs

Let planning for retirement benefit you AND nature!

Whether you are just starting your career or beginning to think about life after the 9 to 5, actively planning for retirement is important for everyone. Some keys to planning for retirement are setting your savings goals based on your future needs, investing in a retirement plan through your employer, such as a 401(k),  contributing to an IRA, and thinking of ways you can invest your money to work for you.

How Can Your Retirement Plan Help Hawk Mountain? It’s easy to designate Hawk Mountain Sanctuary as a beneficiary of all or part of your 401(k), IRA or other qualified plan. Simply obtain a Designation of Beneficiary Form from your retirement plan administrator and complete as directed. And, because distributions from retirement plans may be subject to income tax, it is often a good idea to use these for charitable bequests and leave other assets to heirs. Learn about designating Hawk Mountain as a beneficiary of your retirement plans from one of our gift planners.

Another step may be required to designate your 401(k); please check with our gift planning staff.