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  • About
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
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Omicron Delta Kappa

Omicron Delta Kappa
  • About
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
      • Notable Members
      • Founders’ Day
    • Leading in the 21st Century: FY 2022-24 O∆K Strategic Plan
    • Fast Facts
    • Leadership
      • Board of Trustees
      • Emeriti Trustees
      • Student Advisory Board
      • Staff
    • Governance
      • 2023 Elections for Student and Faculty/Staff Trustees
      • Articles of Incorporation
      • National Bylaws
      • Governing Committees
      • Operating Committees
      • Omicron Delta Kappa Policies and Procedures
    • History of the Society
      • Our Founders
      • Toward a More Inclusive Society
      • Women in Omicron Delta Kappa
      • Former National Presidents, Foundation Presidents, and Board Chairs
      • Circle Installations
    • Commitment to Diversity and Equal Opportunity
  • Members
    • Prospective Members
    • Collegiate Members
    • Lifetime Members
      • Help Our Circles Thrive
      • Become a National Level Volunteer
      • Governance and Fundraising Volunteer Opportunities
    • Member Benefits
    • Update Your O∆K Record
    • Read The Circle
  • Programs
    • National Leadership and Service Awards
    • Scholarships
    • National Day of Service
      • National Day of Service Report
      • 2021 National Day of Service Stories
    • National Leadership Conference
      • 2023 National Leadership Conference
      • Past National Conventions
    • Clay Leadership Development Grants
    • Stone Ethical Leadership Challenge
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  • Circles
    • Find a Circle
    • Membership Fees
    • Circle Officers (Advisors and Student Officers)
      • Dates and Deadlines
      • Member Management System
      • Monthly Officer Updates Newsletter
      • Recruitment and Selection
      • Initiation
      • Branding, Templates, and Downloads
      • Circle Reports and Forms
      • Recognition and Awards
      • Webinars and Training
    • Resources to Promote Leadership Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
      • Circle Programming and Practices
      • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Awards
      • Glossary of Terms
      • Key Fund
      • Organizations Advocating for Social Justice
      • Publications Focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
      • Toward a More Inclusive Society
      • Websites Focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
    • Establish a New Circle
      • Extension Process
    • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Donate
    • Give Now
    • The Campaign for Our Second Century
      • Campaign Giving Opportunities
      • Scholarships for Collegiate Members
      • Opportunity Fund (Gift of Membership)
      • Key Fund
      • Developing the Campus Leaders of Today
      • Collaborative Leadership Initiatives
      • Preservation, Renovation, and Expansion of National Headquarters
      • Campaign Initiatives Supported to Date
    • Ways to Give
      • Planned Giving
      • Charitable Gift Annuities
      • Heritage Society
    • Gift Acceptance Policies
    • Endowment Information
    • National Day of Giving
    • State Charitable Registration Disclosures

Retirement Accounts

Assume that your last will and testament is up-to-date. Does that mean that your overall estate plan is also in good shape? Not necessarily. There are a number of assets that are typically administered and distributed outside your will; i.e., your will does not control certain assets at the time of death (unless you name your estate as the beneficiary). Examples of these include retirement accounts – such as an IRA, SEP, 401(k), 403(b), and a Keogh plan – and your life insurance policies. These assets are controlled by their respective contracts, trusts, or custodial accounts. Make sure that your beneficiary designations are up-to-date on all these accounts so that the assets will be distributed to the beneficiaries of your choice at the time of death.

At the same time, even though these assets are administered and distributed outside your will, they typically will be taxed as part of your gross estate for federal estate tax purposes (if you have a taxable estate). With retirement accounts, you may also be subjecting your assets to income taxes of an additional 30 percent or more.

That’s why we want to ask the question: Are you distributing your IRA to the IRS, instead of your intended beneficiaries?

Ideas for Retirement Accounts

With retirement plan assets subject to federal estate and income taxes, approximately 70% of these assets can go to the IRS instead of your intended beneficiaries at the time of death. Of course, retirement plans still serve very valid purposes – such as income tax deferral during your lifetime. The tax problem principally arises at the time of death. Is there a better way? Yes. IRAs and other retirement plan assets make the perfect charitable gift at the time of death.

Planning Idea #1.  Consider leaving us a charitable gift of all or a portion of your retirement assets – with your other “lower-taxed” assets passing to your children, grandchildren, and other intended beneficiaries. Any amounts transferred to us at the time of death will avoid federal estate and income taxes.

Planning Idea #2.  Another good option – to provide for a surviving family member and benefit us at a later date – would be to ask your attorney about using the assets from your IRA or other retirement account to fund a “testamentary charitable remainder trust.” Such a trust could provide a lifetime of income for your surviving spouse, children, or others, and then benefit us. This could help you save tax dollars while you provide a solid stream of income and possible tax benefits to your heirs.

Important Tax Planning Note: Under current law, it generally does not make sense to contribute retirement plan assets to charitable institutions and organizations during your lifetime – because of the ordinary income taxes you would incur. Lifetime transfers from a retirement plan to a charity cannot be made on a tax-free basis. Every distribution from a retirement plan is generally taxable as ordinary income. (As discussed above, it does, however, make excellent sense to consider gifting these assets to charity at the time of death.) Please know that Congress has been considering changes to these tax laws that could make future lifetime charitable gifts of retirement plan assets much more favorable.

How to Make a Gift of Your Retirement Plan

While the rules governing retirement plans are complex, it’s easy to name us as a beneficiary at the time of death. Just check with your plan to see which form you’ll need. We recommend first consulting with your attorney, accountant, or other professional advisor.

For Additional Information

Estate planning through retirement accounts and life insurance policies can be complex – yet very rewarding. You can save significant tax dollars while leaving a lasting legacy. This website provides only a brief introduction. We would be pleased to provide you, your attorney, your accountant, your financial planner, or other advisor with additional information and be of assistance in any way possible.  Thank you for your interest and support.

Copyright 2000-2013 by Calder P. Sinclair.  All rights reserved. This information is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is provided with the understanding that neither the author nor the publisher is engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

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About the Organization

The Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees and is a 501(c)3 organization. The bylaws are located on the About tab under Governance.

The most recent audit of the Omicron Delta Kappa Foundation, Inc. and the IRS Form 990 tax return can be found at guidestar.org.

Unrestricted Gifts
When you give an unrestricted gift to OΔK, we spend your money on the Society’s most pressing needs. The trustees of Omicron Delta Kappa determine their use, typically for general scholarships, leadership programs, and circle support. Unrestricted gifts can go a long way toward providing more freedom for us to focus on introducing new initiatives and programs that will help propel OΔK forward. Unless donors indicate that a gift is restricted, all gifts to OΔK are considered unrestricted.

Restricted Gifts
Restricted gifts indicate how you would like to see your dollars used. You may wish to underwrite a scholarship, a leadership development program, or to fund a guest speaker. These are all examples of restricted gifts. The donor has clear intentions for how his or her money should be spent and OΔK honors those wishes.

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Copyright © 2023. All Rights Reserved.
O∆K, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, is a member of the Honor Society Caucus.

 

Johnson Center for Leadership 
O∆K National Headquarters
224 McLaughlin Street
Lexington, Virginia 24450-2002
1-877-ODK-NHDQ (635-6437)
odknhdq@odk.org

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