Consider including Hadassah as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(K), 403(b) or other retirement plan. Because retirement assets are heavily taxed when left to loved ones, they make an excellent charitable gift after your lifetime to tax-exempt organizations like Hadassah. It's easy to do—just list Hadassah on the beneficiary designation form for a percentage (1-100) of your account. The funds distributed to Hadassah will not be subject to income or estate taxes and will be put to good use as soon as possible, without going through probate.

“We are so excited about how Hadassah carries out its lifesaving mission. Naming Hadassah as beneficiary of an IRA is an ideal giving method for us.”
Even if you are leaving your entire estate to Hadassah (or to Hadassah and other charities), you should still list Hadassah on the beneficiary designation form of your retirement account. Naming your estate or your trust as the beneficiary (or not designating any beneficiary whatsoever) may subject these assets to federal income tax and diminish the gift to the charities. The gift to Hadassah may also be delayed because the funds would have to go through the probate process. To avoid unnecessary delay and potential tax consequences, name Hadassah on the beneficiary designation form of your retirement account.
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Learn more about beneficiary designations in our free guide A Smart Use for Your Retirement Plan Assets.
Download My GuideInformation contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under this agreement, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance. Hadassah’s criteria to establish a charitable gift annuity: minimum age: 60; minimum gift: $5,000. A copy of our most recently filed financial report is available from the Charities Registry on the New York State Attorney General’s website ( www.charitiesnys.com) or, upon request, by contacting the New York State Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005, or us at 40 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005. You also may obtain information on charitable organizations from the New York State Office of the Attorney General at www.charitiesnys.com or (212) 416-8401.