Your retirement plan is designed to benefit you during your retirement. However, you may name beneficiaries for your plan in case you pass away with funds still in your account. Along with family, relatives and friends, a charity may also be named as the beneficiary.

Retirement fund assets can be great charitable gifts because of the tax implications to your non-charitable beneficiaries. Most retirement plans are income tax-deferred, meaning you do not pay income tax on the funds contributed to your plan or on the growth of the assets within the fund. However, you are responsible for paying the tax when the funds are distributed. Your beneficiary(ies) are also required to pay the income tax that has not been paid.

Charitable organizations, like Amphibian Conservation Alliance, are tax-exempt and not liable for the unpaid taxes. If you name ACA as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, the full amount of your gift will be used for conservation priorities.

Naming or changing your beneficiary(ies) is easy.  Simply contact your plan administrator and request a beneficiary form.

How to Name Us as a Beneficiary – Legal designation information for beneficiary forms

How It Works
Alice began participating in her company’s retirement plan when she first started working. At the time, she named her brother as her beneficiary. Since then, she has named him as the beneficiary of other assets in her estate. Having been a loyal supporter of wildlife conservation for years, she makes Amphibian Conservation Alliance the beneficiary of her retirement plan instead. Her gift will ultimately be used to help preserve and protect amphibian wildlife around the world.

Back to "Name ACA as a Beneficiary"