Life insurance provides an affordable way to make significant gifts to your favourite charities and worthy causes. By giving through life insurance you can:
make a substantial charitable donation for a comparatively small premium
become a major benefactor right now, rather than waiting years to make your gift from accumulated assets
gain tax benefits and guarantee the value of your gift will not be reduced by taxes, probate, or administrative costs
make a significant gift of funds that are considered independent of your estate, and therefore cannot be challenged
keep your gift private and confidential.
There are many options for making a gift of life insurance. Some, like the first three listed below, can provide for a generous future gift while offering immediate tax relief. The method you choose will depend on your preference and circumstances.
Transfer ownership of an existing, fully-paid policy - Perhaps you hold a policy that, while fully paid, is no longer required as your family has grown or your financial situation changed. You can transfer ownership of the policy to the charity of your choice and name it as the beneficiary. You will receive a donation receipt for the cash surrender value* immediately, just as if you had made a cash donation.
Sign over a partially-paid policy - When you transfer ownership of a policy that is partially paid and name the charity as beneficiary, you will receive a tax receipt for the cash surrender value*, as well as for further premiums you pay on the policy.
Purchase a new policy and make your favourite charity the owner - When you make the charity the owner and beneficiary of a policy, you are entitled to tax receipts for premium payments.
Make the charity the beneficiary of your policy without transferring ownership - The proceeds of the policy will be paid to the charity immediately upon your death. Now new tax regulations allow your estate to receive a charitable tax deduction for the amount of the insurance proceeds.
Make your estate the beneficiary of the life insurance policy and bequeath the amount of the policy to your charity in your Will - You will not receive tax benefits during your life, but your estate's tax liability will be reduced. However, your donation will be delayed while your estate is processed and because your Will can be challenged or your estate reduced by fees/creditors, the full value of your intended contribution to your charity may be diminished.
* When you receive a tax receipt for the cash value, you may have to claim some portion of the cash value amount as income to offset the tax credit.
Please contact us today for your no-obligation consultation. We look forward to helping you and your family.
To learn more simply fill out this form or call us at 416-364-2929 or 1-866-566-2001.
"As the founder of Back Clinics of Canada I often meet patients who travel here from all over the world seeking expert advice and quality care in our clinic. I am especially grateful that Mark Halpern, CFP, is available locally to help me and my family on matters of insurance and estate planning. His objective advice and leadership in the financial services industry makes him my trusted advisor, he can do the same for you."
Dr. Ron Nusbaum
Back Clinics of Canada
"I heard Mark interviewed on Money Talks radio with Jerry White and was intrigued by the critical illness insurance he specializes in. We set up an appointment in his office and I approached our meeting as a skeptical accountant who doesn't like to be sold insurance. Mark surprised me. He was very thorough and covered all the bases. He looked at my total picture and didn't isolate any parts. He put together a plan for me based on our discussions that would take care of me in my life and he followed up again on each item at subsequent meetings. I purchased a critical illness insurance policy and health benefits and will consider long term care insurance and life insurance with Mark in the New Year. Mark has many strengths. The one that impressed me the most was his ability to recognize my lifestyle as a single woman with no dependants. He designed the right plan to fit. I highly recommend Mark to anyone who requires a truly caring, sincere and professional advisor."
Ms Susan Jackson
Chartered Accountant
"I kept hearing the radio ads thinking to myself that I would be silly if I didn't check it out. As a business owner in the auto and equipment leasing business for many years, I realized that if I can't work, my family and I would be in big trouble. So I called Mark and met him in his office. The experience turned out to be exactly what I had hoped for...and more. Mark helped me to see the weaknesses in my planning and got me the right protection programs that I needed for me and my family. I now know that I can go to my office everyday and if anything happens to my health, I will have no worries, which is what it's all about. All I have to do is think about getting healthy and not worrying about the bills. Thanks a million Mark!"
Bob Wilson
President
Bob Wilson Leasing
Auto & Equipment Leasing
"After hearing those radio ads countless times, I FINALLY pulled my car over to write down the phone number and call Mark. His radio message was very clear to me. As a business owner, I did not want to put unnecessary financial strain on my family if I got sick or worse. We had a great first meeting that was very informative for me and my wife. It was a very comfortable experience and Mark enlightened us with all the things that needed doing to properly take care of our family. He helped us put all the right programs together without any pressure and we are very appreciative. We now feel reassured knowing that things have been taken care of properly and look forward to working with Mark for many years to come."
Tony Silvestri
Transportation Executive
Lisa Silvestri
Bank Branch Manager