Build WC&S's Future

Giving with Retirement Funds

Naming Women’s Center and Shelter as the beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan is becoming an increasingly popular way to support our mission to end intimate partner violence in the lives of women and their children.  Because of the way qualified plans are taxed, at your death relatively few of the assets in the plan may end up in the hands of family members or beneficiaries. These assets are included in your gross estate for federal estate tax purposes, and are also taxed when received by the beneficiaries as income in respect of the decedent.

Funding a charitable gift to the Women’s Center and Shelter with these assets generates an estate tax charitable deduction and Women’s Center and Shelter will not have to pay income tax on the assets when they are received. Using retirement plan assets as a gift to the Women’s Center and Shelter and other assets for family members can be beneficial to all.

With your support, the Women’s Center & Shelter will continue to ensure that all women and children can find the sanctuary and services they need to remain violence-free – today and in the future.

Ways to use retirement fund assets to make a gift to the Women’s Center & Shelter:
  • Avoid all income and estate taxes by naming the Women’s Center & Shelter as primary beneficiary.
  • Name the Women’s Center & Shelter as the contingent beneficiary after your spouse.
  • Designate a certain amount or percentage of your retirement fund assets to be gifted to the Women’s Center & Shelter and receive a partial tax savings before giving your family the remaining assets.
  • If you are over age 59½, use withdrawals from your retirement accounts to fund a current gift to the Women’s Center & Shelter.  While the withdrawal is taxable, your charitable gift will provide an offsetting deduction on your income taxes.
  • Through December 31, 2009, individuals who are 70½ or older can donate up to $100,000 annually from their individual retirement account (IRA) tax-free to the Women’s Center & Shelter.
A Simple Way to Make a Significant Gift AND Save on Taxes

To change the beneficiary of your retirement account, simply ask the administrator of your plan for a Change of Beneficiary form, fill it out and sign it.  Many companies now make these forms available online.  The only information you will need is the Women’s Center & Shelter’s official name, address and Federal Tax Identification Number or Employer Identification Number (EIN):  The Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, P.O. Box 9024, Pittsburgh, PA  15224, EIN # 25-1264376.

If you are over 70½ and considering taking advantage of the Pension Protection Act to make a direct transfer from your IRA, please let us know; and we can assist you in expediting the process.  Please consult with your legal or tax advisor before making any final decisions about making a gift to the Women’s Center & Shelter.  We will be happy to work with you and your advisors on arranging your gift.

Please write, call or email:
Barbara Nicholas
Development Director
Women's Center & Shelter
412-687-8017 ext. 331
nicholasb@wcspittsburgh.org

Please note that the suggested language supplied here does not constitute legal advice and is not to be construed as legal advice in any manner.  Please consult your attorney concerning the best way for you to provide for Women's Center and Shelter in your estate plan.


Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – donations to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. The official registration and financial information of the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Copyright 2009 Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh