Planned Giving

A legacy in a will is basically a reflection of what you found to have real value during your existence. This is because your legacy is a testament to beliefs you feel have lasting worth for humanity. In many ways it is the final expression of your unique life form.

However, writing that legacy into a will can be a confusing task. This is why Astara's administrative staff has put together important information on how to write a will. I strongly urge you to call or write Astara and ask for the “Your Legacy” package. The staff has done a great job putting this together and I know it can help you. I have used it myself to write my own will, which is my legacy to the value of family, friends, and of course, Astara.

Silver Lining

Getting older has its rewards. For example, consider the way gift annuity rates increase with age. A 70 year-old member who donates $10,000 to Astara for a charitable annuity trust can receive $720 every year for the rest of his or her life. However, if the same person were to obtain a gift annuity at age 85, the payment rates would jump to 10.4 percent and he or she would get $1,040 each year. So, you see, aging has a silver lining.
Many of Astara’s annuity trust recipients appreciate the stability of the periodic payments. Once established, the rates are “locked in” and annuitants can count on receiving the same amount yearly.

Another benefit of a charitable gift annuity relates to taxes. Not only does one receive an income tax deduction when obtaining the gift annuity, there is also the possibility of income that is partially tax-free.

Perhaps the most enjoyable part of an Astara annuity trust is the ability to give without endangering retirement income. Sometimes the opposite is true: often our members increase their retirement income by obtaining a charitable gift annuity using low-yielding assets, such as stocks or even cash.

Today I’ve done a good thing, and I’m truly a satisfied and happy person — though being nearly 92 years old is somewhat staggering at times.

What did I do?

I arranged a Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT) Agreement with Astara. It will benefit Astara immediately and will benefit me as time goes on.

I will receive a U.S. income tax deduction, a quarterly cash sum return on the gift, and the satisfaction of helping Astara help its members around the world as well as myself financially. It’s one of those very rare win-win situations.

If you’d like to know more about it, call or write to Dean Zakich, right now, and you’ll soon be as satisfied and as happy as I am. Even if you’re not as old.
— Robert G. Chaney

Call Dean Zakich at Astara today for more information ~ Toll-free: 800.964.4941