4 Easy Ways to Become Designated as a Planned Gift Beneficiary

 
Recently I found myself wondering…. “why aren’t we promoting beneficiary designations more?”
A beneficiary designation is by far the simplest way to create a planned gift.  Plus it’s a great way to avoid probate.  And anyone can do it easily.  A donor just needs a pen, a beneficiary designation form, and the desire to create a legacy gift.
 
 
 
So let’s promote the following:

1. Life insurance policies
2. Retirement plans such as 401(k), 403(b), IRA, and pensions.  Remember, if there is no American spouse in the picture, retirement plans may be taxed by as much as 76%. So leaving retirement assets to a nonprofit is “tax-wise” as well as charitable.
3. Bank accounts allow donors to designate a “pay on death” beneficiary.
4. Investment accounts include a “pay on death” beneficiary too!

Let’s remind supporters that they can include your nonprofit as a full or partial beneficiary.  Remind them that it’s easy to do.
And don’t forget to ask to be notified once it’s done so you can thank and recognize the donor’s generosity!
Keep in mind that beneficiary designations apply to almost every adult age group. So you can use social media if your marketing budget is small.