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Contributions to retirement plans can provide an excellent opportunity
for growth as they are invested tax-free. The earnings are taxed when
they are withdrawn, but this has allowed more dollars to be invested for
more growth. Additional savings can occur if the recipient is in a lower
tax bracket when the funds are withdrawn (for example, during retirement)
than when the investments were growing.  Norman
and Ruth had often put some of their savings into the stock market. They were
also employed by companies that had 401k plans. They kept investing and the value
of their plans kept growing. They had long been active in charitable giving -
One of their first charitable gifts had been a gift of appreciated stock.
Norman:
"Our first experience was giving several hundred shares of a stock that
had more than doubled in value. We needed some help that year with our tax situation
and that gift was a great idea. Also, our tax-sheltered retirement plans kept
growing and just recently we rolled them into our IRA. It's grown beyond our wildest
dreams." Ruth: "But taxes will eat up so much of it. Not that
we need it all, but we were hoping to get more value out of it." Norman:
"We recently sat down with our attorney to look at our overall financial plans
to make sure we had set up our affairs to best suit our needs. Our attorney suggested
we consider making a  charity
a partial contingent beneficiary knowing how much we would like to help provide
for those in need." Ruth: "Tax benefits
for our estate, protecting our future, and knowing we're making a difference in
other peoples' lives - it feels good!" However, careful planning concerning
the withdrawals from retirement funds needs to be done. Not only is there a potential
income tax burden, but if there is a balance in your retirement account at your
death, there may be estate taxes as well. Estimates are that taxes could eat up
as much as 70-75% of retirement assets under certain circumstances. Using
qualified retirement plan funds is an excellent source of assets to fund bequests.
By designating Boston Rescue Mission as a beneficiary (it can be a contingent
beneficiary after the death of a spouse) funds pass to Boston Rescue Mission free
of taxes. It is possible to set up the beneficiary as the recipient of the entire
remaining funds in the account or establish a percentage to fund the bequest.
Please note - the designation of any charity as a beneficiary of
retirement fund assets cannot be simply written in your will or trust. The charity
must be designated as a beneficiary of the retirement plan. Everyone's
personal circumstances are different, so please consult your tax advisor concerning
the use of qualified retirement funds. We would be glad to make suggestions that
could be effective in accomplishing you and your family's needs and benefit Boston
Rescue Mission as well.
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