Estate plan giving is one of the ultimate acts of a good steward. Estate plan gifts can range from a bequest in your will to the establishment of a charitable remainder trust. Your personal estate plan gift can enable you to establish your legacy by ensuring that your assets are distributed to causes that are important to you.

• Estate Plan Gifts can provide an Income Benefit
  Charitable Gift Annuities and Charitable Remainder Trusts are examples of gifts that can provide you with a source of income during your lifetime.
• Developing an Estate Plan Gift
  The Office of Stewardship and Development is available to assist you in preparing an estate plan gift. However, for legal and tax related reasons, you should always consult an attorney and/or financial advisor when creating this type of a gift.

Bequests
Bequests are provisions in a will for the distribution or transfer of one's cash or other assets upon death. Bequest gifts may take the form of a specific dollar amount, a gift of stocks or securities, real estate or property, or a percentage of the residue of the estate.

Bequests offer the advantage of making a future gift without affecting your current cash or asset portfolio. Your bequest may also be exempt from estate taxes.

Gifts of Life Insurance Policies
You can make a gift of a life insurance policy by simply naming the Archdiocese of Louisville as the beneficiary or co-beneficiary on the policy. This type of gift may be especially attractive since it provides you with the means to make a substantial gift without interrupting your income or disturbing other assets. 

Gifts with an Income Benefit for the Donor
With growing concerns over retirement funding, certain types of gifts can provide a source of income and security during your retirement years. The most common forms involve the donation of cash or assets to fund a charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust.

Archdiocesan Gift Annuity Program
An annuity is a contractual agreement whereby you can transfer cash or assets to the Archdiocese in exchange for regular fixed income payments.

• Your Tax Benefits: You may receive a charitable income tax deduction for a portion of your gift to fund the annuity. In addition, a portion of each payment that you receive is tax-free.
• Calculating the Income Benefit: Income benefits are calculated based on the amount of your gift and the annuity rate in effect at the time of your gift. Your income benefit will begin at a pre-determined age and continue for the remainder of your life. 
• To Request a Personalized Annuity Proposal: For more information on funding requirements, age requirements for receipt of income benefits, or to receive a confidential personalized gift annuity proposal at no obligation, you may contact the Office of Stewardship and Development by calling (502) 585-3291 or emailing us at stewards@archlou.org.

Charitable Remainder Trust
A charitable remainder trust involves transferring a portion of one's assets into the care of a trustee. The trustee is responsible for managing the trust, making income payments as directed by the donor, and final distribution of the trust's remaining assets upon termination of the trust.

• Donor Benefits: In addition to providing a source of income during one's lifetime, a charitable remainder trust can help one to minimize the impact of estate taxes and maximize the amount of assets that can be passed along to heirs and charitable causes.
• Due to complex legal requirements involving the establishment of a charitable remainder trust, you will need to consult with an attorney and a qualified financial advisor in establishing a charitable remainder trust.