Find resources to help answer your estate planning questions and read about University-related news and those who have included St. John’s in their estate plans.
Stories
Experts Advise Alumni and Friends
A group of St. John’s University alumni and friends proved that education does not end after graduation. More than 60 members of The McCallen Society (one of the University’s premier giving societies), alumni and friends gathered at the Immaculate Conception Center of Douglaston for a workshop entitled, Meet the Experts: Financial and Estate Planning in a Time of Financial Crisis on Thursday, September 17, 2009. Read more.
Members of The McCallen Society Take Time to Reflect On Thursday, June 18, 2009 members of The McCallen Society attended the Second Annual Day of Reflection at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Lloyds Harbor, NY. Read more.
McCallen Members Enjoy Exhibit
Members of The McCallen Society were invited to attend the opening reception on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 for an exhibit featuring graphic design from Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina and Brazil. The exhibition, at St. John's University's Dr. M. T. Geoffrey Yeh Art Gallery, highlighted works from the early years of the design movement in Latin America as well as more recent works that acknowledge these traditions and its impact on Latin America. View photos of this event.
Mary Higgins Clark Visits St. John's University
St. John’s University alumni, students and staff gathered on Thursday, March 5, 2009 in the Little Theatre on the Queens campus to hear bestselling author Mary Higgins Clark describe what led her to become one of the world’s most widely read novelists. Read more.
St. John's University Named to President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll
The Corporation for National and Community Service honored St. John’s University (NY) today with a place on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts and service to America’s communities. Read more.
Articles
Time is Running Out!
You may contribute funds this way if:
- You are 70½ or older at the time of the gift.
- Your IRA gifts total $100,000 or less for the year.
- Read more.
3 Small Moves That Can Pay off at Year-End
Follow these innovative year-end giving ideas to reduce your potential tax hit or even boost your income this year while getting a tax break: Read more.
Avoid Capital Gains Tax on Your Appreciated Property
If you donate most types of appreciated property that you have held longer than one year to a qualified charity such as St. John's University, you completely avoid the capital gains tax. Read more.
The Threefold Benefits of a Trust
Let's say you are 74 and want to use a charitable remainder annuity trust to help a grandchild with college expenses. With a charitable remainder annuity trust, you receive a fixed percentage each year of the initial value of the trust for the rest of your life. Read more.
What to Do After a Loved One Dies
- Provide information for the death certificate and newspaper obituary.
- Look for your loved one's letter of instructions indicating funeral wishes, contacts and location of documents.
- Locate your loved one's original will or living trust.
- Read more.
3 Smart Ways to Support St. John's University on a Budget
Sometimes it's difficult to be charitable when your budget is tight and the future is uncertain. After all, your family comes first. But many types of charitable gifts enable you to make a significant donation while saving taxes or receiving income in return. Read more.
Use Your IRA to Help Others
Under the reinstated charitable IRA legislation, individuals 70½ or older can make gifts to us using funds transferred directly from IRAs—without reporting it as taxable income. If you are 70½ or older, we hope you'll take advantage of this gift that lets you witness the benefits of your generosity. Read more.
Giving In Tough Times Can Provide More for Your Heirs and Cut Taxes
Americans today are anxious about their money. Their stock values are falling and their 401(k) plans are so low that it's hard to open the quarterly statements. It may be the wrong time to think about charitable giving—or is it? Read more.
Communicate Estate and Gift Planning Decisions with Family
Would you communicate more effectively if a third party such as your attorney or financial advisor were present to objectively support what you say? Read more.
3 Trustful Sources for Philanthropic Advice
Financial planners, accountants and investment advisors can help you choose the donation methods that make the most financial sense for you and your family. Read more.
Getting Started: Gifts of Retirement Plan Assets
Like many Americans, you are probably aware that the accumulation of assets in your retirement plan is the basis for a financially secure future. To preserve your retirement assets after your lifetime, consider the benefits of using them in a totally different way. Read more.
Touch Students' Lives by Creating a Scholarship
Few gifts offer greater satisfaction than establishing a scholarship. You can have the fulfilling experience of enabling students to attend our institution and hearing about their progress that has resulted from your generosity. Read more.
One Couple's Estate Planning Makeover
Gayle and Andy Smith thought they had plenty of time to draw up an estate plan. But then Gayle's mother died unexpectedly, and that rang a bell. Maybe they weren't immortal after all. Read more.
Support Us Without Affecting Your Budget
Three simple options for making charitable contributions that will have zero current impact on your cash reserves. Read more.
Helpful Tips on Organizing Your Financial Documents
Fortunately, being busy doesn't have to mean being befuddled by paperwork. Try these tips to minimize the time spent organizing financial documents. Read more.
Act Now! Take Advantage of Higher Gift Annuity Payout Rates
Effective February 1, 2009, the suggested rates from the American Council on Gift Annuities will decrease because of current economic conditions. Therefore, if you are considering this type of charitable gift, you can receive higher lifetime payments if you complete your gift before February 1, 2009. Read more.
The Time Is Now
If there were ever a time to be inspired to take action, now is that time. That's because the needs in our community are so urgent, and your quick response will help us meet some important needs. Read more.
Estate Taxes: Keeping Up With the Changes
Because estate tax rules change frequently, your current plans might not be the best they can be anymore. Review these upcoming changes--and then review your estate plans--to get your plans back on track. Read more.
Does Your Estate Plan Measure Up?
Sound estate planning is important--without it you could lose a sizable portion of your estate to taxes. Evaluate your current estate plan, and then add up your points. How do you score? Read more.
Q&A Updating Your Beneficiary Designations
When a spouse dies, which beneficiary designations need to be updated and how do you go about doing it? Read more.
One Person Can Make a Difference: Here's How You Can Easily Be a Hero in Our Future
One of the most popular and easiest ways to support our good work is by naming us as the recipient of a bequest. A bequest is the act of transferring property--money or other assets--at your death through your will or trust. Read more.
Discover the Trust That Is a True Win-Win
Have you ever heard the phrase, "giving away the tree while keeping the fruit"? Learn about a plan that promises you a life income (you keep the fruit) from assets you irrevocably put in trust now (give away the tree) for our future needs. Read more.
Getting Started: Charitable Lead Trusts
When people think about providing an inheritance to children and making a significant charitable gift through their estates, a vehicle known as the "charitable lead trust" is an excellent method to accomplish both objectives. Read more.
You Still Have Time to Change Your Story
Learn why IRA or 401(k) assets, when you name an individual as beneficiary, can be considered the unwanted inheritance. Read more.
8 Ways to a Better Estate Plan
If you haven't done so already, today is the day to begin planning your estate. Thinking ahead can save you many tax dollars, and with estate tax rates as high as 45 percent, this should be of primary importance to you. Read more.
Create a Will that Works
If not properly planned, your will may cause headaches or problems for your loved ones and fail to fulfill your wishes. Fortunately, we have solutions. Read more.
Change Lives By Establishing a Scholarship
These days, we hear a lot about visionaries. People who have had the foresight to imagine the future as they want it to be and do something to set off a chain of events that makes that envisioned future come true. You can be that visionary. Read more.
For additional information on gift planning, contact Susan Damiani, Director of Gift Planning, at (718) 990-7562 or e-mail damianis@stjohns.edu