THE FINANCIAL GUIDE ASK EXPERT EXPERT THE SPRING 2015 ISSUE THE Ryan T. Lynch, CFP®, ChFC® President, LYNCH & Associates Newburgh, IN BS, 1995 Krannert School of Management Ryan resides in Evansville, IN, with his wife, Joelle (BSPHA, 1997 Pharmacy), and their four school-age children. Ryan has been with LYNCH & Associates, founded by his father, Tom Lynch (BS, 1972 Civil Engineering), since graduation in 1995. He also serves as treasurer of his church’s endowment fund. Q: Ryan, if the Charitable IRA Rollover is available again in 2015, what are the benefits of making a donation by taking a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA? 2006, IRA owners over A: Since the age of 701/2 have been allowed to distribute up to $100,000 from their IRA to a qualified charity. This distribution satisfies the annual RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) amount, but does not result in a taxable IRA distribution. So, effectively, the entire donation is completely tax-free, and viewed from another angle, is the same as getting a full tax deduction on a donation. For donors who utilize the standard deduction on their tax return, donating from an IRA is their best giving option. Since this donation is a qualified charitable IRA distribution, the gift is not actually an “itemizable” deduction. Rather, the entire amount of the donation/ distribution avoids taxation completely. So, for the donor utilizing the standard deduction, this ensures the charitable distribution avoids taxation, > ASK THE EXPERT Q&A > CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS > GIVING OUTSIDE THE BOX > PURDUE MOVES > NOW AND THEN WHAT’S NEW PURDUE? > CGA RATES which is the same as getting a full tax deduction. For high-income donors, the amount of allowed itemized deductions may become reduced. So, for the high-income earners, this charitable IRA distribution is a very tax-efficient option. In summary, anyone over the age of 701/2 who has decided to donate to Purdue, and has an IRA account, should definitely consider this qualified charitable IRA distribution as it is most likely the best tax-wise option for giving. might it make sense to Q: When name a charity as a beneficiary of your retirement plan? account (and life A: Retirement insurance) beneficiary schedules supersede a will, and it is very easy to update the beneficiary designation to list a charity, if even a contingent beneficiary. It can make good sense to list a charity as a beneficiary since the charity will receive the full amount without tax consequence. So, ultimately there will never have been taxes paid if the retirement funds are given to charity. Further, in nearly all circumstances, an individual beneficiary/family member would rather receive — Continued on page 2 ASK EXPERT EXPERT THE (Continued from page 1) inheritance outside of the constraints of a tax-deferred retirement account. So, if you plan to leave something to charity, leave the retirement assets (or a portion) via the beneficiary schedule to the charity, and leave non-retirement assets to individual beneficiaries using a will or trust. Especially if your individual beneficiaries are in high tax brackets, giving your retirement assets to charity may be the better option, while giving other assets outside of retirement to your family/individual beneficiaries. By the way, it is definitely better to specifically list a charity or individual(s) over listing “per will” or “estate” as the beneficiary. If your will or the estate is a beneficiary, there will most likely be a FULLY taxable distribution before the final beneficiary receives benefit. So, for anyone with a retirement account, please specifically list a person, trust or charity. Listing “per will” or “estate” is often a mistake. THE IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER If you are 701/2 or older, you can use pre-tax retirement savings from your IRA to support Purdue University without paying any tax on the IRA distribution. Congress typically extends the IRA rollover for a year or two at a time. The IRA rollover expired on January 1, 2015. We expect Congress to pass an extension later this year. WHAT IS A CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST? The charitable remainder trust (CRT) is often used as a financial planning tool to provide current tax deductions and income during a donor’s lifetime. Depending on the circumstances, CRTs can be an advantageous estate planning tool as well. Here, we’ll explore opportunities and advantages for setting up a testamentary CRT. WHAT IS A TESTAMENTARY CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST? A charitable remainder trust is a trust that provides for a specified distribution, at least annually, to one or more beneficiaries, at least one of which is not a charity. Current IRS regulations permit an individual to include the creation of a testamentary charitable remainder trust in estate documents. The trust can be created after death, or can be accelerated and created during your lifetime. Upon your passing, the executor or trustee of the estate transfers previously determined assets to the Purdue Research Foundation. The trust invests the assets and agrees to pay your beneficiaries an income for life or a term of years. Upon termination of the CRT, the remaining assets are used for the charitable purpose you designate. There are several reasons why someone might choose to set up a testamentary CRT through his or her estate. Perhaps the donor wishes to establish a predictable income stream for a surviving spouse, or may have retirement assets that would be too heavily taxed if passed to anyone but a spouse. Let’s look at a specific example: Pat Purdue, 86, is a widow and has a 401k valued at $500,000. Making her two sons, ages 67 and 64, co-beneficiaries of the retirement account would accomplish her goal to leave them an inheritance, but they will likely lose a good percentage to taxes. Additionally, one of the two sons has difficulty managing his money and Pat worries about him receiving a sixfigure lump sum. Assume each son is in a 28% federal income tax bracket. If Pat leaves them each $250,000, each son would pay $70,000 in income taxes ($250,000 x 28%), netting each son only $180,000. After speaking with someone at Purdue, she decides to set up a testamentary charitable remainder unitrust. She names the trust as beneficiary of her 401k, and the account flows to the trust at her passing. If upon Pat’s passing, the CRT is created with $500,000, each son would receive $12,500 in the first year. Assuming each son lives for 20 years and there is no growth in the trust, each son would end up receiving $250,000 over the term of the trust ($12,500 x 20). This leaves Pat with the satisfaction of knowing each of her sons will receive what she originally intended. She will also be providing each with a steady — Continued on page 3 GIVING GIVING THE BOX PURDUE MOVES THE WORLD OUTSIDE It sometimes seems that the phrase “cash is king” is so deeply wired within us that we don’t look at other methods when making gifts to charity. Take a look at the list below for some suggestions for thinking outside the box when it comes to charitable giving. APPRECIATED SECURITIES– Securities worth more than you paid for them are subject to capital gains tax. Transferring these assets to the Purdue Research Foundation (PRF) allows you to take a charitable deduction for the fair market value of the asset and avoid all capital gains tax that would have been realized if the securities were sold for your benefit. DONOR ADVISED FUNDS– Establishing a donor advised fund allows you to contribute cash or securities to your own charitable giving account. You receive a charitable tax deduction for the amount you contribute in the calendar year you contribute it. However, you decide when the money is distributed and to whom. These kinds of funds could be beneficial to the savvy investor who has charitable intent, but has not yet developed a solid giving plan. Such a fund would allow you to transfer highly appreciated securities during market peaks and decide how to give it at a later date. RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS– In recent years, legislators have passed laws that allow those age 701/2 or older to give from an IRA account. The gift counts towards the account owner’s required minimum distribution, but does not count towards taxable income. Additionally, those looking to make a significant gift at their passing might consider naming PRF as a partial or full beneficiary of a retirement plan. Because so many retirement plans are funded with pre-tax money, heirs can incur heavy tax burdens as a named beneficiary. PRF carries non-profit status and can receive the gift with zero tax consequences. WHAT IS A CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST?–continued from page 2 income stream after her passing and won’t have to worry about either son quickly exhausting his inheritance. Pat’s benefits also include: • The estate receives a charitable deduction, and Purdue receives the asset with no tax implication. • The remainder, at her sons’ passing, will go to fund a scholarship in honor of her and her late husband, Pete, leaving Pat with the satisfaction of knowing that she has provided a meaningful and important gift to Purdue. Our office regularly creates template drafts of trust documents for use in current or testamentary trusts. We would be more than happy to prepare a sample trust agreement that your attorney can work from in creating a testamentary trust as part of your estate. FORWARD PURDUE KEY INITIATIVES Purdue is at the forefront in transformative education: CHANGING THE WAY LEARNING OCCURS Instruction Matters: Purdue Academic Course Transformation (IMPACT) has been identified by the President’s Office as a key component of the Purdue Moves initiatives. The goals of the IMPACT program include working with faculty teaching fundamental courses that are part of the new core curriculum while maintaining a course transformation rate of 60 courses per year over three years. As of fall 2014, Purdue has redesigned 120 courses, focusing on fewer lectures, more group projects, and incorporating online and in-class components to optimize faculty-student interaction. We aim to double the rate of class transformation and lead the nation’s universities in creating a new student-focused learning culture. ENGAGING MORE STUDENTS IN INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE Given the cultural, professional and academic gains our students realize when they study abroad, we will increase the number of students in an international study experience. In an increasingly global society, our students must graduate with the cultural competencies needed to make the greatest possible difference. — Continued on page 4 OFFICE OF PLANNED GIVING Purdue Research Foundation Dick and Sandy Dauch Alumni Center 403 West Wood Street West Lafayette, IN 47907 phone 800.677.8780 email plangift@prf.org web purdue.giftlegacy.com The Purdue Research Foundation (PRF) is an independent organization that acts for the benefit of Purdue University. PLANNED GIVING STAFF Marcus Knotts Assistant Vice President MAKnotts@prf.org Jill Anderson Director of Development JCAnderson@prf.org Jacob Griffin Director of Development JAGriffin@prf.org Cara Giese Director of Development CLGiese@prf.org Gunnar Crowell Director of Development GMCrowell@prf.org CGA RATES AGERATE 65 4.7% 70 5.1% 75 5.8% 80 6.8% 85 7.8% 90 9.0% Rates as of 1/31/2015 Please note: Purdue University is a tax exempt public charity and does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice. Any document or information shared by our staff is intended to be educational and informational. Purdue strongly encourages all of our benefactors to seek counsel from their own legal and financial advisors. Please know that any information or documents shared by the Development staff cannot be used to avoid tax-related penalties PURDUE KEY INITIATIVES (Continued from page 3) INCREASING SUCCESS AND VALUE LIVING ON CAMPUS Students who live on campus achieve greater academic success and graduation rates than do their off-campus peers. We will increase our housing options so at least half of our students can live on campus. A YEAR-ROUND OPTION Students’ greatest need is to move quickly, flexibly and affordably in their academic careers. Purdue is focusing on year-round education, which provides students with greater flexibility to incorporate internships, study abroad and undergraduate research into their Purdue experience. WE INVITE YOU TO VISIT www.purdue.edu/purduemoves/ FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF PURDUE MOVES. The R. B. Stewart Society honors individuals who embody the spirit of Purdue’s master builder, R. B. R.B. STEWART SOCIETY Stewart. Stewart arrived at Purdue in 1925, when the physical plant was valued at $3 million; upon his retirement in 1961, after serving as vice president and treasurer, the physical plant value was $160 million. THEN AND NOW R. B. Stewart was also nationally recognized as the “Father of the G. I. Bill.” Today’s benefactors who provide for Purdue’s future through a will bequest, retirement plan, living trust, insurance policy, charitable gift annuity, or charitable remainder trust are included in this prestigious society reflecting Stewart’s dedication and generosity to Purdue. Please contact our office for information on how to be recognized as an R. B. Stewart Society member. GRAND PRIX START YOUR ENGINES FOR “THE GREATEST SPECTACLE IN COLLEGE RACING!” The Purdue Grand Prix draws more than 50 team entries each year with more than 5000 spectators. Mark your calendars for the 60th Anniversary April 23, 2016!
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