The Abraham Cahan Legacy Society

Wills

A simple way to make a legacy gift is by naming The Forward Association as a beneficiary of your will. This gift in your will, or “bequest”, to The Forward may also reduce the taxes that would otherwise be paid by your estate.

For sample bequest language you can provide to your advisor, please click here

Retirement Assets

Because the assets of your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or other retirement plans are heavily taxed when left to loved ones, consider instead designating all or a percentage of these accounts to The Forward after your lifetime. Funds left to The Forward won't be taxed.

This is a simple legacy gift to create, and can be done without the expense of an attorney. All you have to do is list The Forward Association, Inc. on the beneficiary designation form for a percentage of your account. You can ask your plan administrator for the form, or access it online.

Savings accounts POD

The Forward can be designated as a beneficiary of your savings accounts, CDs and other bank accounts by designating your account as Payable on Death ("POD") to the Forward Association, Inc. This legacy gift can also be done without the expense of an attorney.

Retirement Assets - QCDs

If you are 70 ½ or older, and have a traditional or a Roth IRA, you are allowed to transfer up to $100,000 for an individual, or $200,000 for a couple, per calendar year. To get the tax benefit in a particular year, you must make the gift to the Forward before December 31st of that year. There must be a direct transfer from the IRA to the Forward. If you are interested in making this gift please click here for a transfer form to use.

The advantage of this type of gift is that the income from the IRA is not subject to Federal income tax and is excluded from your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).  It may even satisfy your required minimum distribution requirement.

Insurance Policies

If years ago you took out an insurance policy whose original purpose no longer applies, such as providing for minor children, consider changing the beneficiary to the Forward Association, Inc. By doing this, receive an immediate income tax deduction and you may also reduce your future estate tax liability.

If the policy is in premium-paying mode, you may receive additional tax benefits when you make annual gifts to the Forward Association to cover the premium payments. When the policy matures, the proceeds are paid to the Forward.

Other Ways to Give

There are a variety of other legacy giving opportunities that may be available to you, such as charitable remainder trusts, annuities, and gifts of art or real estate. We are happy to discuss these options with you, your attorney, or your financial advisor. 

Your legacy gift will help the Forward meet the challenges of the future, to continue our tradition of the best in independent journalism for the next generation of American Jews. Contributions to the Forward Association are eligible for the maximum income and estate tax charitable deductions available for gifts to a public charity.