Planned Giving, a part of an overall financial and estate plan, is the process that allows someone to make a charitable gift during one’s life or after one’s death. It is useful to think of planned giving as a process as opposed to a set of products.
Many people already do a type of personal planned giving without even realizing it. How? You are making planned giving arrangements anytime you name beneficiaries on your retirement accounts, life insurance or annuity policies, or when you bequeath property in your Will or Trust. The naming of beneficiaries is an act of love toward those we love. We all should take time to review and update our beneficiaries because having them in order simplifies the transfer of assets after death.
Throughout the history of the Church, members and co-workers have supported the gospel message of Jesus Christ and His Church through charitable gifts. These gifts help individuals and families meet their personal philanthropic goals while also advancing the Church mission. While some people desire their charitable gifts be realized immediately—usually through cash, stock or property—others seek to extend their generosity into the future through planned gifts.
Planned gifts can be established as a way to protect your assets, provide for your family or guarantee you income for life. These financial arrangements can take on many forms and have various tax implications. Some simple gifts take little time and effort to set up, while more complex gifts take more planning and thought and generally will require professional assistance and advice.
Our Planned Giving brochure covers many of the commonly used planned giving methods including Last Will and Testament, Will Substitutes, Qualified Charitable Distributions, Life Insurance as a Planned Gift and Trusts.
If you are considering designating the Church as a beneficiary in your Will, insurance policy or retirement plans you can contact plannedgiving@ucg.org. Upon request, I can also send you a copy of our Planned Giving brochure.
As the year draws to an end it is also a good time to review all of your financial and estate plans—especially if you have had a change in your marital status, the birth or adoption of a child or loss of a loved one. Make sure your Will, Trust and healthcare power of attorney are current and provide a copy to relevant parties. Year-end is also a good time to review your home, auto and life insurance policies to determine if you have enough coverage and if deductibles need to be adjusted.
Howard is a deacon in the Orange County California church. He is a graduate from California State University Fullerton. He and his wife Tina travel a four church circuit giving a unified message of hope.
