Casting Your Legacy: The Simplicity of Account Beneficiary Designations

Some of the most effective techniques in fishing are also the most straightforward - a well-tied knot, a perfectly placed cast. The same principle applies to including the IGFA as a part of your legacy through account beneficiary designations. An account beneficiary designation is simply naming who should receive your account after your lifetime. This simple yet impactful method allows you to support the IGFA's mission without changing your current financial position.

Designating the IGFA as a beneficiary of your financial accounts can be as straightforward as completing a simple form from your financial institution. Through this approach, you maintain complete access to your assets during your lifetime while ensuring your passion for sportfishing and conservation continues for generations to come.

Advantages of Account Beneficiary Designations

Flexibility to give either a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate to the IGFA – both approaches are effective ways to support our mission
Freedom to designate multiple people and organizations as beneficiaries, ensuring support for your loved ones and the causes that matter the most to you
Complete control of your assets throughout your lifetime, with no current impact on your finances or cashflow
Potential tax advantages for your estate and heirs, depending on your individual circumstancescash flow
Freedom to modify your plans at any time as life circumstances change
Ease of creating today with no need to modify your will or trust

Recent changes to U.S. federal tax law may affect how beneficiary designations and other estate gifts fit into your overall plan. Be sure to discuss your options with your estate planning attorney or tax advisor.

Accounts You Can Designate

You can name the IGFA as a beneficiary of various accounts:

Retirement accounts
Life insurance policies
Investment or brokerage accounts
Bank or savings accounts
Certificates of deposit (CDs)

You can customize your beneficiary designation to fit your circumstances by naming IGFA as a primary or contingent beneficiary and choosing the percentage you wish to give. To designate the IGFA as an account beneficiary, simply contact your financial institution and request their beneficiary designation form. You'll need IGFA's legal name, address, and tax ID number.

Legal Name: International Game Fish Association

Address: 300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, FL 33004

Tax ID Number: 23-7231048

The IGFA Lerner Society

By including the IGFA in your estate plans, you will be invited to join the distinguished IGFA Lerner Society, named after our visionary founder Michael Lerner, alongside others who have committed to securing the future of our sport. Of course, you may always choose to give anonymously. To learn more about the IGFA Lerner Society, visit our Lerner Society page.

Finding the Right Strategy for You

Like choosing the right spot to cast your line, selecting the right charitable giving strategy depends on your personal circumstances and goals. Every individual's financial situation and philanthropic goals are unique, just as every angler's relationship with the sport is personal. The key is to find a strategy that aligns with your financial objectives while supporting the aspects of IGFA's vision and mission that resonate most with you.

To learn more about tax-smart strategies, visit our webpage, Casting Your Legacy: Strategic Giving to the IGFA.

Ready to Learn More?

Barbara E. Cini, JD, CFRE, Chief Development Officer | [email protected] | 954-498-7153

Eric Combast, Development Director | [email protected] | 954-924-4325

This information is for educational purposes only and, as always, be sure to consult your tax professional for the advice best tailored to your individual circumstances.