What to Do with “Obsolete” Life Insurance

Do you have a life insurance policy you purchased years ago to provide financial protection—and no longer need it? If so, it may be a great asset to give Saint Leo University. Consider the benefits when you irrevocably name Saint Leo University as both the owner and beneficiary of the policy:

1. You receive an income tax deduction. When you fill out your itemized tax return, you can claim a charitable deduction for the cost basis of the policy or an amount approximately equal to the cash surrender value. For deduction purposes, the gift is treated as though it were cash. This means you can deduct the gift up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income. And if you cannot use the full deduction in the first year, you can carry forward the unused portion up to five additional years.

2. You reduce the size of your estate. At death, the face value of most life insurance policies is includable in the taxable estate of the deceased. For some estates, this can mean a significant increase in estate taxes. However, transferring the policy during life will remove this “hidden” asset and reduce the size of your estate and any applicable taxes.

3. You leave your current income undisturbed. Many people want to give more to Saint Leo University, but they are concerned about their own cash flow and any unforeseen emergencies. They are reluctant to reduce investment assets. We at Saint Leo University do not want any of our friends to jeopardize their financial security in making charitable gifts. At the same time, it is quite possible that you either have forgotten about an “obsolete” life insurance policy or consider it an unneeded asset. In any case, the advantage of giving such a policy is that it does not affect your current income stream.

Next Steps

Contact us at (352) 588-8415 or development@saintleo.edu for additional information about making a gift to Saint Leo University.

Seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor.

If you include Saint Leo University in your plans, please use our legal name and federal tax ID.

Legal Name: Saint Leo University Address: PO Box 6665 - MC 2227, 33701 County Road 52, Saint Leo, FL 33574 Federal Tax ID Number: 59-1237047

© University Advancement P.O. Box 6665 MC 2227 St. Leo, FL 33574 Phone: (352) 588-8667 Privacy Policy  |  EEO  |  saintleo.edu