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Thomas Merrick was a widower who had a great love for The Salvation Army. As an individual who had directly benefited from one of our programs, Thomas wanted to thank us with a gift from his estate.
Thomas told his attorney that he wished to make a bequest to The Salvation Army. Thomas' estate included some stocks, real estate and an IRA. Thomas' attorney recommended that he give the appreciated stock and real estate to his children and leave his IRA to charity.
Thomas: My attorney told me that if I gave the stock and real estate to my children, these assets would receive a step-up in basis at my death. My children could then sell them without paying tax. However, if I gave my children my IRA, the IRA would be subject to estate and income tax. After paying all of these taxes, very little would be left for my family. By giving the IRA to The Salvation Army, I could make a nice gift and avoid any additional tax for my estate and children.
 Thomas contacted his IRA custodian to obtain a beneficiary designation form. He filled out the form and designated The Salvation Army as the 100% recipient of his IRA account. Thomas' attorney then specified in Thomas' will the bequest of his other assets to his children.
Thomas: I was so impressed with my attorney's advice that I named him executor of my will!
Thomas called and notified us of his bequest. Thomas was pleased that because The Salvation Army is a tax exempt institution, it would receive the full amount of the IRA value when he passed away, creating a legacy for the future.
You also may want to make it easy and convenient to have a bequest included in your will. The language below shows how a bequest can very easily be included in your will.
You might find it helpful to select the "print" button on the top of your screen and print this page. You may feel free to give this page to your attorney. If he or she has any questions, please have him or her contact us at phone number 800-275-3197 or email us at Thomas.Britain@usw.sarmy.org.
Please note: The name and image above is representative of a typical donor and may or may not be an actual donor to our organization. Since your IRA gift benefits under federal rules may be different from this person, you may want to contact us to discuss an IRA gift.
Example bequest language - Please feel free to change the numbers or percentages as you desire.
1. Bequest of cash
"I bequeath the sum of $10,000 to The Salvation Army - Southern California Division of Los Angeles, CA."
2. Bequest of a percent of the estate
"I devise and bequeath 20% of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to The Salvation Army - Southern California Division, Los Angeles, CA."
3. Contingent Bequest
"If my brother John Doe survives me, I devise and bequeath 20% of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to John Doe. If John Doe does not survive me, then I devise and bequeath 20% of my residuary estate, whether real or personal property and wherever located to The Salvation Army - Southern California Division, Los Angeles, CA."
You may print a Bequest tri-fold brochure. What Legacy Will You Leave.
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