Additional ways to provide ongoing support to Marylhurst University include gifts of:

Stocks 
Life insurance
IRAs and retirement plans 
Real estate 

Stocks

If you have publicly traded stock that has appreciated in value, it is most advantageous to give the stock rather than cash. Why? Any capital gain tax that you would incur if you sold the stock will be avoided when you give it to Marylhurst University instead.

Contact the Office of University Advancement at 503.699.6251 for information about how to transfer securities to the Marylhurst account at Charles Schwab.

Life insurance

Marylhurst University accepts gifts of life insurance policies, including whole life, variable and universal life policies which meet the following three criteria:

1. The policy is either paid up or, if not paid, as of the date of the gift either a) has a minimum face value of $25,000, or b) has a payment schedule not to exceed 10 years and which assumes an interest rate not to exceed one percent below the prevailing prime interest rate as reported in the Wall Street Journal periodically (for existing policies an "in force" illustration will be required).
2. The donor makes a written pledge of a charitable contribution to Marylhurst University in a total amount which equals or exceeds the total premiums due, and with pledge payments scheduled so as to equal or exceed each policy premium payment that becomes due. This written pledge also will acknowledge the absolute ownership by Marylhurst University of the policy given, and acknowledge the resulting right of Marylhurst University to cash in the policy and apply the proceeds of the same for the benefit of Marylhurst University in accordance with applicable policies and donor restrictions.
3. Marylhurst University is designated as the owner and the beneficiary of the policy.

NOTE: Marylhurst University does not participate in start-up life insurance programs in any form where the goal is to have donors make donations with the expectation that Marylhurst will use those proceeds to pay insurance premiums, or be involved with outside companies that provide premium financing.

IRAs and retirement plans

For many, the best method of giving is a gift through a pension plan. In estate settlements, pension plan tax rates can often be 40 to 70 percent. We would like to help you control the disposition of your retirement assets for your family and help you substitute your charitable interests instead of making an unintended gift to the government.

Just a few years ago Congress changed the rules on retirement plans. Today, the mandatory minimum payout requirement after age 70.5 is much lower than it used to be. Consequently, as you get into your 80s and 90s, it's more likely that your IRA, KEOGH, or 401(k) balances will remain higher. That is good news for the majority of Americans. However, there is a looming, and often large, tax on retirement plans that people often don't consider while doing their estate planning.

Here is how it works: Congress allows each of us to put money into a retirement account during our working years tax-free. In other words, we don't have to pay income tax on the amount of money we place in IRAs, KEOGHs or 401(k)s. Additionally, our retirement accounts get to compound in value tax-free so they can grow as quickly as possible to support us during our retirement years. However, the IRA doesn't forget that those very same retirement plans have never been subject to tax. So if you pass away while holding a retirement plan in your estate, income tax to your heirs and possible estate taxes could be due – again, as high as 40 to 70 percent in some cases.

To avoid this scenario, it's often advisable for people simply to name their favorite charitable organization(s) as the remainder beneficiary of their retirement plan. This can be done easily by calling the retirement plan administrator and filling out a new beneficiary designation form. Charitable organizations are not subject to estate or income tax, so the full value of the retirement plan can become a gift.

Real estate

While cash, CDs and marketable securities are thought of most often when making a gift to a charitable organization, real estate is sometimes the best gift of all. Many people reach a stage in life where they simply don't want the management responsibility that accompanies property ownership. For those who have rental apartments or commercial buildings, not only can they avoid capital gain tax, but they can avoid depreciation recapture tax as well. For those people with farms or vacation homes, life income arrangements such as charitable remainder trusts or gift annuities can be equally rewarding.