Planned Giving: Retirement Plans

You can maximize the impact of your retirement funds — IRA, 401(k), Keogh, etc. — when you name Scripps Research as your beneficiary. Because retirement funds directed to heirs are often subject to a high level of both federal and state income and estate taxes, heirs can receive as little as 30 cents on the dollar. But when you donate your retirement plan to a nonprofit, your assets escape taxation and the Institute receives 100 cents on the dollar. With this enormous tax differential, it often makes better financial sense to leave other assets to your heirs.

This type of gift is easy to make and can be done at no cost. Simply obtain a designated beneficiary form from your retirement plan administrator and name "The Scripps Research Institute" as one of your beneficiaries. That's all there is to it. You may also restrict your gift to a particular area of research or to our graduate program.

Donor Profile — Jeffery Kelly, Ph.D.

For more information about gifts through retirement plans, please contact Geoff Graham, Director, Planned Giving and Estates, at (858) 784-9365 or gcgraham@scripps.edu.