Planned Giving

BREAKING NEWS!

IRA CHARITABLE TRANSFERS ARE BACK FOR 2010 and 2011

Congress officially passed and the president signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010, which extends the IRA charitable transfer provision through December 31, 2011.

In effect for 2010 and 2011, this provision once again offers a special opportunity for donors who are at least 70½ years old. In brief, the provision allows you to make a tax-free gift distribution of up to $100,000 from your IRA to First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem.

NOTE: Because of this late date, the provision stipulates that any qualified charitable distribution after December 31, 2010, and by January 31, 2011, shall be deemed by the IRS to have been made on December 31, 2010.

Who qualifies and how does this work?
- You must be 70½ years of age or older on the date of the transfer.
- You must transfer the funds directly from the IRA to First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem
(direct trustee to charity transfer).
- Your gifts cannot exceed a total of $100,000 per taxpayer per year
(but there is no minimum).
- Your gifts must be outright (gifts that return income to you do not qualify).
- Gifts can be used to fullfill your annual stewardship pledge or can be designated towards specific ministries or other important church projects.

If you plan to make an IRA charitable distribution,  or have questions, please contact Sue Minnich, the church financial manager, at 610-317-6162, ext. 211.

HERITAGE PARTNERS

"Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce." (Proverbs 3:9)

The Heritage Partners was established in 2004 by the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem. Its purpose is to recognize and thank those members and friends who make gifts that are carefully planned to our church. It is also a way to witness for Christ and encourage others to give generously for the church's future needs.

All members and friends are invited to become Heritage Partners by making planned gifts.

Gifts of Cash: Support those ministry programs you love by making gifts over and above your annual stewardship commitment.

Gifts of Securities: The best stock to donate are those that have increased greatly in value.

Become a Heritage Partner: Remember First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem in your will. Below is wording that you might want to take to your attorney, when drawing up a will:

I give __ % of the remainder of my estate to First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, or its successor, for its general use and purposes."

Or . . .

"I give, devise and bequeath the sum of $ ______ to First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, or its successor, for its general use and purpose.

Other vehicles that can be part of your estate are real estate, and life insurance policies:

Gifts that give income back: Charitable gift annuities are a wonderful estate planning tool. A gift annuity will provide you income while you are alive, and in your passing, the church receives the gift to support its ministry.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 610-865-2087, for more information.

For more information on planned giving gift opportunities, please visit the following resources:

- The Presbyterian Foundation.

- World Vision