Gifts That Cost You Nothing Now

Here are two easy ways to have an impact for generations to come — and they don’t cost anything now.

If you have already included a gift in your estate plans to benefit the future of Rail Passengers Association, be sure to let us know so that we may best honor your wishes.

Gifts in a Will

A gift in your will or trust is one of the easiest ways to create your legacy of support and advocacy for rail transportation and passengers. This gift costs you nothing now and makes a difference for generations to come.

If you decide to include a gift for Rail Passengers Association to advance the cause of expanded and improved rail transportation, you will be invited to join our Heritage Circle — an exclusive society for supporters who create this special legacy gift to benefit generations to come.

A gift in your will is one of the easiest ways to create your legacy and offers the following benefits:

LASTING IMPACT

Your gift will continue your legacy of support for railways and passengers.

FLEXIBLE

You can alter your gift or change your mind at any time and for any reason.

NO COST

Costs you nothing now to give in this way.

Four simple, “no-cost-now” ways to give in your will

General gift

Leaves a gift of a stated sum of money in your will or living trust. For example, you might decide to leave $10,000 to each of your favorite charities. It’s considered to be ‘general’ because it doesn’t specify from where the money comes.

Residual gift

Leaves what is left over after all other debts, taxes, and other expenses have been paid.

Specific gift

Leaves a specific dollar amount, percentage, fraction, or specific items (collections, art, books, jewelry, and so on).

Contingent gift

Leaves a stated amount or share only if a spouse, family member or other heir/beneficiary does not live longer than you. In other words, your gift is contingent upon whether or not they survive after you.

You can mix these no-cost ways together. For example, you might consider leaving a specific percentage (such as 50%) of the residual to Rail Passengers Association contingent upon the survival of your spouse and other loved ones.

Gifts by Beneficiary Designation

It’s easy to put your bank accounts, retirement funds, savings bonds, and more to use in creating a world informed and inspired by the Rail Passengers Association — and it costs nothing now.

By naming the Rail Passengers Association as a beneficiary of these assets, you establish your personal legacy of support for the expansion and improvement of America’s railways for all passengers to enjoy.

Potential benefits of gifts by beneficiary designation:

Reduce or eliminate taxes on retirement assets

Reduce or avoid probate fees

No cost to you now to give

Make a difference for the nation’s rail passengers

To name the Rail Passengers Association as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, contact your bank or insurance company to see whether a change of beneficiary form must be completed.

Types of Gifts

Retirement Funds (Beneficiary Of Your Retirement Plan):

You can simply name the Rail Passengers Association as a beneficiary of your retirement plan to advance the expansion and improvement of America’s rail transportation.

Life Insurance Policies:

You can name Rail Passengers Association as a beneficiary of all or a portion of your life insurance policy. With this gift arrangement, Rail Passengers Association will receive the proceeds of your policy after your lifetime. You can change your beneficiary at any time and may reduce your estate taxes.

Funds Remaining In Your Bank Accounts, Brokerage Accounts Or Certificate Of Deposit (CD):

This is one of the easiest gifts to give and one of the most useful in accomplishing what you want – expanding passenger train services. The next time you visit your bank, you can name the Rail Passengers Association (Tax ID: 36-2615221) as the beneficiary of a checking or savings bank account, a certificate of deposit (CD), or a brokerage account. When you do, you’ll take a powerful step toward expanding intercity railways for generations to come.

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Residuals:

What remains in a donor-advised fund is governed by the contract you completed when you created your fund. When you name Rail Passengers Association as a “successor” of your account or a portion of your account value, you become an invaluable partner is our mission to advocate on behalf of rail passengers.

If you have a donor-advised fund and want to make a contribution to Rail Passengers Association now, use our convenient finder to log into your fund.

How to update a beneficiary designation:

Login to your account or request a Change of Beneficiary Form from your custodian (the business holding your money or assets). Follow the links to change your beneficiary or fill out the form.

Be sure to spell the name of our organization properly:
Rail Passengers Association

Include our tax identification number: 
36-2615221

Save or submit your information online or return your Change of Beneficiary Form.

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