Alumni who are retired or about to retire typically are intent upon living life to the fullest during their retirement years, while maintaining, or improving, their financial security. Retirement is no longer seen as empty years but a time for an active, meaningful lifestyle – all about spoiling grandchildren, volunteering, writing memoirs, pursuing hobbies and recreation, or even a new career. But retirement can also be a time of reflection and planning for the future – your own, your family’s and that of Northwestern University. Wise planning can enable our alumni to enjoy all that life has to offer, and then pass on to future generations both their resources and ideals for living.

Estate Planning. The advent of retirement is an event that should prompt a review of your estate plan. As you examine your will or living trust, we hope you will consider the good works and personal satisfaction a bequest to Northwestern University can accomplish. Life insurance can serve as a convenient alternative for leaving a lasting legacy of education. Retirees also have a remarkable opportunity to blend their estate planning with support for the University by leaving us a portion of their IRAs or other retirement plans. Such funds, if left to family members, can be subject to both income taxes and “death taxes.” Simply contact the custodian of your account for the necessary beneficiary forms.

Increased Retirement Income. A planned gift during retirement can provide alumni with income for life, a wide variety of tax savings, money management and the immense personal satisfaction of nurturing young minds. Friends who own real estate or other investments sometimes decide to transfer those assets – and the management burdens – to a charitable remainder trust that provides a good income, tax benefits and the joy of advancing vital programs at Northwestern. Retirement may bring a desire for gift arrangements that provide tax deductions and a steady income that is also partly tax free. A Northwestern charitable gift annuity can be just the answer.

Future Gifts of Homes. If you own a home (or farm) – or even a vacation home – you can make a gift of the property, obtain an immediate income tax deduction and still continue to use the property for as long as you wish (a so-called retained life estate). By arranging this gift now, rather than in your will, you receive an immediate income tax deduction for the present value of Northwestern's future right to receive the property.

Gift and Estate Tax Savings. You can make a temporary gift of trust income to the University, either during life or through your will, by means of a charitable lead trust that minimizes (or eliminates) gift or estate taxes. Your heirs receive all the trust property after a term of years selected by you.

Reunion Giving

Reunions are a time for celebration at Northwestern. They provide an opportunity to remember the Northwestern experience, reconnect with the Northwestern community and reunite with old friends. As part of reunion celebrations, classes raise significant funds that support scholarships, the University's libraries, galleries, concert halls, sports venues, and the priorities of each of the schools.

Your Reunion Class gift can be fashioned in many ways, and can involve two or more gift methods in combination:

Outright Contributions. Many people make immediate gifts to benefit Northwestern simply by writing checks. There are special tax incentives, however, that enable alumni to magnify their support by contributing investment assets that have gone up in value, such as stocks or real estate. To learn more about these options, click here.

Gifts from Estate Plans. Estate gifts are extremely flexible and can be adapted to your changing circumstances and desire to assist Northwestern. They can be arranged, of course, through wills and revocable living trusts, but through other vehicles as well. To learn more about these options, click here.

Gifts with Retained Benefit. Important gifts can be structured to provide lifetime benefits to individuals (usually in the form of lifetime income) and later assistance to Northwestern. Donors receive sizable income tax charitable deductions and other tax rewards. To learn more about these options, click here.

Combination Gifts. Alumni often find it satisfying to make a Reunion Gift with cash, marketable securities or other assets, and at the same time make a provision for the University in their estate plans. Others may augment an immediate gift with a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust that can be established now or through their estate plans. These “blended” gifts are appealing because of the tremendous impact they can have on Northwestern both today and in the future.

Special Recognition. Alumni who inform us of estate gifts – including bequests they have arranged in years past – qualify for membership in The Henry and Emma Rogers Society. New or newly disclosed estate gifts count as part of your Reunion Class gift.

Our Office of Gift Planning would be pleased to answer any questions about reunion giving and to assist you in planning any gift. Feel free to contact Herb Nechin at (847) 491-7394 or h-nechin@northwestern.edu. We look forward to hearing from you!