Charitable Gift Annuities
A charitable gift annuity provides fixed payments for life in exchange for a gift of cash or securities to Saint Lawrence Seminary. Gift annuities are easy to set up and the payments you receive are backed by the general resources of the seminary.
A charitable gift annuity could be right for you if:
- You want to maintain or increase your cash flow.
- You want the security of fixed, dependable payments for life.
- You want to save income taxes or capital gains taxes.
- You would like income that is partially tax-free.
- You want to make a generous gift to Saint Lawrence Seminary.
- You are considering a gift amount of $XXX or more.
- You are at least 65 years of age.
Fixed Payments for Life
In exchange for your irrevocable gift of cash, securities, or other assets, Saint Lawrence will pay you a fixed amount each year for life. The amount of the payment depends on the amount donated and the age of the payment recipient.
- Payments last for your lifetime. You cannot outlive your payments.
- Payments are predictable. Your payments will not be affected by investment performance or market conditions. You will get the same amount each year.
- Payments are very secure. They are backed by the general resources of Saint Lawrence Seminary, not just by the assets you donate.
Tax-advantaged Payments
Part of each payment typically will be tax-free for many years. This tax-free portion makes the payments more valuable than an equal amount of fully taxable income. The amount of this tax-free portion will be greater if you give cash than if you give stock or other appreciated property.
Tax Benefits
You will earn an immediate income tax charitable deduction in the year of your gift, providing tax savings if you itemize. The amount of this deduction will depend on several factors. If you cannot use the entire deduction that year, you may carry forward your unused deduction for up to five additional years.
If you give stock or other appreciated property to create a gift annuity, you will pay tax on only a portion of your capital gain in the property. Even better, if you are the payment recipient of your gift annuity, you will be able to report this capital gain in installments over many years. In this case, your capital gain income will replace some of the tax-free portion you would receive if you were to give cash.
By removing the gift assets from your estate, you may also reduce future estate taxes and probate costs. The amount of these savings will depend on the size of your estate and on estate tax law in force at the time your estate is settled.
