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Retirement Assets

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.

Stephanie and Terry Tranen

“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.”

—Stephanie and Terry Tranen

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.

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Action Steps

  1. Contact us at 800-428-8884 or giving@hadassah.org with any questions.
  2. Seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor.
  3. Ask your plan's administrator for a "change of beneficiary" form.
  4. Please use our legal name, address and Federal Tax ID if naming Hadassah as beneficiary of all or part of the remainder of your retirement plan.
Legal Name: Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc.
Address: 40 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005
Federal Tax ID No.: 13-1656651

The information and content contained herein are intended for educational purposes only and are not intended to provide legal, tax or other professional advice or to be relied upon. We encourage you to consult with an attorney, tax advisor or accountant.

California residents: 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. Oklahoma residents: 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.

South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

Donation Questions

E: donorservices@hadassah.org

P: (800) 928-0685

Membership Questions

E: membership@hadassah.org

P: (800) 664-5646

Mission Department

E: missions@hadassah.org

P: (800) 237-1517

Contact Us

40 Wall Street

New York, NY 10005

E: support@hadassah.org

P: (888) 303-3640

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Hadassah a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to Hadassah, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 40 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Hadassah or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Hadassah as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Hadassah as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Hadassah where you agree to make a gift to Hadassah and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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A comprehensive guide to all of Hadassah's planned giving options


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