When planning to give wisely, it makes sense to look at all of your assets. Life insurance could add some opportunities in your gift plans. Many of us experience changes in our lives, so it is wise to check your policies and compare your coverage with present needs.

• Do you have a policy intended to protect a spouse who will no longer need it or a child who is now a financially independent adult or to complete a payment of a mortgage already paid in full?
• Do you have a policy you bought to guarantee that money will be available for your children’s education. If you have paid for their education using other funds, is this insurance still needed?
• Do you have life insurance purchased to pay federal estate taxes at your death? The Economic Recovery Act of 1981 made it unnecessary for about 95% of the estates of Americans who die to file a federal estate tax return. For this reason, is your policy still needed?
• Do you have a policy to protect a business that no longer exists or no longer needs such protection?
• Do you have small policy your parents purchased for you when you were a child?

There are many ways to give life insurance. You can:

• Name a charitable recipient as benefactor of a policy.
• Assign your annual dividends to a charity.
• Give a paid-up policy you already own by changing the owner and beneficiary.
• Give a policy on which you are still paying premiums.
• Obtain a new policy for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary.
• Buy a policy benefiting your heirs to replace money or property you have given to a charity.

The life insurance gift is easily and quickly given. Since a life insurance purchase is not a matter of public record, your privacy in giving is assured. Depending on your personal circumstances, substantial tax benefits can be gained though gifts of insurance. For more detailed information, please call , Director of Development, at 563-583-7357, toll free at 877-437-6333, or click here. It is recommended that you check with your estate planner or financial advisors.