Transferable on Death (TOD) gifts

LEARN HOW YOUR PLANNED GIFT CAN HELP THE AMERICAN LEGION

Harold and Jeanne* married after meeting at an event The American Legion held for our donors. They wanted to leave a legacy gift that would support our mission and ensure that we remain financially strong well into the future.

Harold: Jeanne and I have always felt a strong connection to The American Legion and their work. Over the years we have seen the organization help so many people. We wanted to make sure they have the means to continue to grow for years to come.

Jeanne: We talked to our investment adviser about planning goals and explained that we wanted to support The American Legion. Our advisor suggested a simple solution – naming the Legion as a beneficiary of one of our mutual funds.

Marcus, Harold and Jeanne's investment adviser, suggested that they use a "transferable on death" or "TOD" form. He explained that because Harold and Jeanne jointly owned the account, the TOD beneficiary designation form would ensure that they can benefit from the mutual fund during their joint lives, that the survivor of the two of them would continue to own the mutual fund for the rest of the survivor's life, and that after both pass away the mutual fund would be transferred to The American Legion. Marcus provided the proper TOD beneficiary designation form, and Harold and Jeanne were easily able to complete the paperwork before they left the office.

Jeanne: We really liked Marcus’ idea. Making a TOD gift was simple to set up and will let us continue to use the mutual fund to meet our needs in retirement.

Harold: I like knowing that if I pass away, Jeanne will have enough to meet her needs. We both like knowing that The American Legion will receive the mutual fund after both of us pass away. We couldn't be happier with our giving strategy.

Is a transferable on death (TOD) gift right for you?

If you own stocks, bonds or mutual funds and would like to make a gift to leave a legacy and support The American Legion, consider a TOD gifting strategy. If you have questions, please contact us. We would be happy to assist you and answer any questions you have.

*Please note: The name and image above are representative of a typical donor and may or may not be an actual donor to the organization. Since the benefits of a TOD gift may differ depending on your personal circumstances, please consult with your legal, tax or financial adviser.

The American Legion’s Planned Giving program is a way of establishing your legacy of support for the organization while providing for your current financial needs. Learn more about the process, and the variety of charitable programs you can benefit, at legion.org/plannedgiving. Clicking on “Learn more” will bring up an “E-newsletter” button, where you can sign up for regular information from Planned Giving.