Don't Fall Behind on What's Important to You

October 17-23 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week.

We all know that life gets increasingly busy from mid-October through January. Before all the holiday festivities get underway, consider the fall season and National Estate Planning Awareness Week as a good time to take stock of everything you have to be thankful for. This might include appreciating the people you care about most and remembering the charities that make your life and those around you happier, healthier and safer.

One of the best ways to ensure your loved ones are looked after and to pass on your values is by documenting what is important and revisiting and updating your estate plans.

An updated will, trust or estate plan will bring peace of mind as we move into the holiday season. You can start the holiday season at ease by knowing a plan is in place to provide for your family and loved ones, and you have documented your wishes and your medical preferences—all of which will ensure that your intentions are clearly recorded so that they can be honored in the future.

The CDC Foundation has made the process of creating or updating your existing will easy, all at no cost to you. Through the CDC Foundation's partnership with FreeWill, you can create your own personalized estate plan that is legally valid and recognized in all 50 states. If you are 70 1/2 or older and have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), another item to take stock of during November is your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). You can quickly and easily donate directly from your IRA for tax benefits and higher charitable impact. Donating from your IRA helps you fulfill your RMD for 2022 and allows you to reduce your tax burden as you support life-saving public health efforts for your loved ones, your neighbors and communities around the world.

This IRA benefit expires on December 31st, which will be here before we know it. Luckily, the CDC Foundation has a simple, easy IRA donation tool and other resources to simplify the process, allowing you to get ahead of your end-of- year giving, save on taxes and make an impact when it matters most.allows you to get ahead of your end-of- year giving, save on taxes and make an impact when it matters most.

So remember, now through the end of the year is the perfect time to not fall behind on what is important to you: Start your will or review and update your estate plans today. If you already have or are planning to include CDC Foundation in your estate plans through a will, a trust or a designated beneficiary, we would be honored if you let us know.

On behalf of your friends at the CDC Foundation, have a happy and healthy fall season.

Together our impact is greater.

 

This content is for informational purposes only, and therefore you should not construe this information as legal, tax, investment, financial or other advice. Also, this information is of a general nature and does not address the circumstances of any particular individual, nor is it comprehensive related to the matters discussed or the applicable laws.


Sean Allen
Sean Allen is a Senior Advancement Officer at the CDC Foundation.