Support GW Through Your Estate
Simple Ways to help GW
There are many ways to support GW through your estate, ranging from a simple bequest intention in your will to establishing a gift annuity for you and/or your spouse. These options supply you with considerable tax benefits and a gift annuity provides you with a fixed source of income while still leaving an enduring legacy to GW.
To learn more about these options, simply follow the links below, or let our new gift tool determine the best gift for your goals and circumstances.
- Bequest Intention
- Charitable Gift Annuity
- Deferred Gift Annuity
- Charitable Remainder Unitrust
- Retirement Plan Assets
Once you establish a bequest, or if you have already done so, please complete the Bequest Intention Form and submit it to the Office of Planned Giving so that you may be welcomed as a member of the Heritage Society, the recognition organization for donors of planned gifts.
Bequest Intention
You can benefit GW simply by including a bequest intention of any amount or percentage of your estate in your will. The bequest may be either unrestricted or, in consultation with the GW Development Office staff, designated for a specific program or purpose. We encourage you to consult the Planned Giving Office for details on how to pursue this option. You may share Sample Bequest Language with your adviser. After you make a bequest, please return the Bequest Intention Form, so that we may recognize you in GW's Heritage Society.
Charitable Gift Annuity
Establishing an annuity at GW is simple, and may be issued to one or two people. In exchange for a gift of $10,000 or more to the University, you will receive an immediate income tax deduction and guaranteed income for the duration of your lifetime(s), with the payout rate determined by your age(s).
- For example, with a single-life gift annuity, an individual aged 80 is eligible for an annual annuity rate of 7.1%, and a portion of his or her annuity payment is typically tax-free.
- Two-life gift annuities provide income to two people while living and then to the survivor for his or her lifetime. For example, a couple whose ages are 77 and 75 would receive a fixed payout rate of 5.7%.
After the death of the donor or donors, the remaining principal passes to GW for unrestricted purposes or a purpose specified by the donor(s).
More information on Charitable Gift Annuities.
Deferred Gift Annuity
A Deferred Gift Annuity (DGA) allows the donor of a charitable gift annuity to defer annuity payments. The payments—made to the donors or to one or two people chosen by the donors—are deferred until a specified future time, at least one year after the contribution. In exchange for the deferment, the annuity rate is higher than it would be if the donor(s) waited until the target payment date and then funded a conventional gift annuity. Donors may add to the transferred assets as frequently as desired during the deferral period.
More information on Deferred Gift Annuities.
Charitable Remainder Unitrust
A Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT), like a charitable gift annuity, provides a donor with a sizable income-tax deduction during the year in which the gift is made and a partially tax-free income stream. Unlike a CGA, however, the CRUT offers a fixed percent payment, typically from 5 percent to 7 percent, rather than a fixed dollar payment. That means the trust's payout fluctuates over time and can, if invested prudently, provide a hedge against inflation. If the trust is funded with appreciated assets, the donor avoids capital gains taxes on the transfer of the assets to GW.
More information on Charitable Remainder Unitrust.
Retirement Plan Assets
Unlike other assets, IRA, 401(k) and/or Keogh plan assets in an estate at death are subject to both income and estate taxes. Additionally, federal estate taxes may apply to certain assets bequeathed to children or loved ones other than a spouse. However, residual retirement plan assets designated to GW are free of tax at the donor’s death. To name the University as a beneficiary of all or part of the assets in your pension plan, simply submit a new beneficiary designation form to your plan administrator.
More information on gifts of Retirement Plan Assets.
Find the Best Gift for You!
Our new online tool will ask you a few simple questions to help you determine the best gift for your goals and circumstances.
New Gift Annuities
With a lower minimum and increased flexibility, a GW Charitable Gift Annuity may be the right option for you.
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