A simple, flexible way to include MedicAlert in your estate planning is with a gift in your will or living trust, known as a charitable bequest. This flexible gift option is easy to execute and can be revised at any time. It can be made as a specific amount or a percentage of your estate, allowing you to also take care of your family. You only need to add a single sentence to your will or trust.

“I bequeath [a specific dollar amount] [_____ percentage of my estate] to Medic Alert Foundation United States, 2016 W Monte Vista Avenue, Turlock, CA 95382, to be used for its general charitable purposes.”

“I bequeath [all] [_____ percentage] of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to Medic Alert Foundation United States, 2016 W Monte Vista Avenue, Turlock, CA 95382, to be used for its general charitable purposes.”

You may also make a residual bequest, so that all or a portion of your estate is given to Medic Alert after specific gifts
are distributed to other beneficiaries.

You can name MedicAlert Foundation as a charitable beneficiary of your assets – such as retirement plans, life insurance policies, donor-advised funds, or bank accounts – to support ongoing delivery of MedicAlert’s lifesaving services. A beneficiary designation is easy and flexible; it can be changed at any time. It does not require an attorney and does not become part of your will. These gifts transfer directly to the named beneficiaries.

A beneficiary designation is one of the simplest ways to give. It’s literally as easy as filling out a form. Simply request a beneficiary designation form from your account or plan administrator; most will make this available on their website. Name your desired beneficiaries and return the form to establish your gift. A beneficiary gift to MedicAlert Foundation is exempt from taxes, which means the total value of your gift will further our mission.

To name MedicAlert Foundation as a beneficiary, use “MedicAlert Foundation United States” and Tax ID 94-1494446.

If you are age 70 ½ or older, you can give any amount (up to a maximum of $100,000) per year from your IRA directly to a qualified charity like MedicAlert Foundation – without having to pay income taxes on the money. This gift option is called a qualified charitable distribution, or QCD. This option allows you to make a gift now and save on taxes.

A QCD enables you to maximize your gift impact, tax free. You pay no income taxes on the gift. The transfer doesn’t generate taxable income or a tax deduction, so you benefit even if you don’t itemize your deductions. You can use this gift to satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution (RMD). Because the gift doesn’t count as income, it can reduce your annual income level, potentially helping lower your Medicare premiums and decrease the amount of Social Security that is subject to tax.

Note that QCDs may only be made from a traditional (or Roth) IRA. To make a QCD gift to MedicAlert Foundation, contact your IRA administrator and ask for QCD instructions.

With a legacy gift to MedicAlert Foundation, you express your values by supporting MedicAlert’s lifesaving work. Your gift enables MedicAlert to ensure that those with medical conditions receive the care they need in an emergency, and first responders are empowered with the health information needed to provide lifesaving treatment.