Facts About Planned Gifts

False (for anyone over age 18).

• 20% of gifts are planned when the benefactor is 45-54
• 20% are planned when the benefactor is 55-64
• 22% are established when the donor is 65-74
• 20% are established when the donor is 75 or older
• And 16% of donors are age 18-45 when they decide to make a planned gift.

True.

• Only 6% of planned gifts come from wealthy people.

False.

Almost anyone can afford to make a planned gift.

• You can make a gift that costs you nothing during your lifetime.
• You can make a gift that leaves your cash flow and current financial planning unchanged.
• You don't have to use cash to make your gift; you can "buy low and give high" by making your gift with appreciated securities instead.
• You can give an asset you no longer need or want.

False.

• 85-90% of planned gifts are bequests through a last will and testament or through beneficiary designations of life insurance or retirement plans.
• If you already have a will, there's a simple document called a codicil you and your estate planning advisor can draw up.
• Some of the most common types of planned gifts can be arranged in as little as 15 minutes and cost nothing to prepare.