The Importance of Estate Planning
A will or revocable (living) trust agreement is a statement about what matters most in your life. It ensures that your intentions are clearly understood and will be followed by those administering your estate.
If Veterans For Peace has been important in your life, you can leave a legacy by making a gift to Veterans For Peace in your estate. Your generosity provides future funding that enables Veterans For Peace to continue as a leading and vital vice for peace. We need your help to continue our efforts to change the direction of our nation, and to create a safe and peaceful world for generations to come.
Leaving A Legacy
The inheritance rules provided by state law may not address your desire to care for special people, Veterans For Peace, or other charitable organizations. Taking time to leave a will is an important gift to all those you care about.
If you've ever felt unable to make an outright gift of cash or securities, planned gifts allow you to be generous to Veterans For Peace while taking into account your financial situation.
You may want to benefit one or more programs or a chapter of Veterans For Peace, or you may want your gift to be unrestricted -- to be used where the need is greatest. Your will should state your intention clearly enough so Veterans For Peace can ensure your objectives are fulfilled.
What Assets Are Best to Give?
Some assets, such as retirement accounts (IRA, 401(k), etc.), U.S. savings bonds, or stock options are subject to income tax when received by beneficiaries. If you have both individual and charitable beneficiaries, you will obtain the best result by giving the income-taxed assets to charities and the other assets to individuals. Your individual beneficiaries could pay sizable income tax, after reduction for any estate tax, upon receipt of income-taxed assets, but charities can put the entire value of those assets to work.
Individuals can take better advantage of the automatic step-up in the basis (original cost) of your appreciated assets, such as stock and real estate.
Talk to your advisor about correct will language or beneficiary designations for these assets. Account for your financial situation.