You can remember any of Liberty Lutheran's affiliates in your will or personal trust by a specific dollar amount or percentage; with an unrestricted gift for a specific designated purpose or endowment bequest. Bequests are written as specific, residual or contingent. You may also leave your qualified retirement plan assets to a Liberty Lutheran ministry as well. Such gifts qualify you for membership in the Liberty Legacy Society.

Specific Bequest Language:

Naming a Liberty Lutheran Services ministry as a beneficiary of a specific amount from your estate is easy.

I give and devise to Liberty Lutheran Services, Ambler, PA the sum of $___________ (or specified percentage of my entire estate) to be used by the Board of Directors for the support of (name LLS or a specific affiliate, fund or program).

Residual Bequest Language:

A residual bequest is named after all your estate expenses and specific bequests are paid:

I give and devise to Liberty Lutheran Services, Ambler, Pennsylvania, all (or state a percentage) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, to be held, administered, and used by the Board of Directors for the support of (name LLS or a specific affiliate, fund or program).

Contingent Bequest Language:

Liberty Lutheran Services or its affiliates can be named as a contingent beneficiary in your will or personal trust if one or more of your specific bequests cannot be fulfilled:

If (insert name) is not living at the time of my demise, I give and devise to Liberty Lutheran Services, the sum of $ _______ (or specified percentage of my entire or residual estate) to be used by the Board of Director for the support of (name LLS or a specific affiliate, fund or program).

Endowment Language:

An endowment fund is a restricted account whereby the principal of the fund is invested and preserved in perpetuity and only in income produced by the fund will be used for the specified purpose by the donor. You can designate your estate gift to a previously established endowment fund within LLS or you may create you own named endowment for a minimum gift of $25,000. For example:

I give and devise to Liberty Lutheran Services, Ambler, Pennsylvania, the sum of (minimum of $25,000) to establish the (your name, a family name or the name of someone you wish to honor) Endowment Fund, the income of which will be used for the support of (name LLS or a specific affiliate, fund or program).

Retirement Plan Beneficiary Language:

You may name Liberty Lutheran Services or its affiliates as a beneficiary of your IRA or other qualified retirement benefits. Donors should consult with their tax advisor regarding the tax benefits of such gifts.

Naming a LLS ministry as the beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan asset such as a 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Keogh or profit sharing pension plan will accomplish a charitable goal while realizing significant tax savings. It is difficult to pass such assets on to heirs because of the severe tax consequences. By naming a LLS ministry as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, the donor maintains complete control over the asset while living, but at the donor's death the plan passes to support a LLS ministry free of both estate and income taxes.

To make a charitable gift from your retirement plan is easy and should not cost you any attorney fees. Simply request a change of beneficiary form from your plan administrator. Make the necessary changes, return the form to your plan administrator and notify Liberty Lutheran Services. We can also assist you with the proper language for your beneficiary designation to LLS.

Customized Language:

If you or your attorney would like LLS to provide you with customized beneficiary language that is specific to your goal and interest, please call our Director of Gift Planning below.

If you would like sample language for a Christian Preamble to your will, please contact us.

Contact us for more information.

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The information in this packet is not intended as legal, tax or investment advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney, tax professional or investment professional.