Testament

Testament

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

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2011 Issue Number 1

The Sampson-Vinson Heritage Society Newsletter

For donors like Eleanor and Howard Bond of Georgetown, Texas, Charitable Gift Annuities (CGA) are a win–win: they provide income now through quarterly interest payments and will support causes dear to their hearts after they die.

Through CGAs, the Bonds have been investing in the future of the Presbyterian Church for the past eight years.

It all began when Eleanor and Howard discovered that

Toward ensuring the future of the church

their church, First Presbyterian of Georgetown, was about to refinance its mortgage. “They were going to renew it at an amount of interest that looked pretty high to me,” says Howard. “We had some extra money, so we talked to the church and said we would loan it at a better rate.” After that loan was paid off some five years later, Howard wondered if the Presbyterian Church would like to borrow some more. That’s when their pastor, Rev. Mike Roberts (DMin’96), told them about charitable gift annuities administered through the Texas Presbyterian Foundation that benefit Presbyterian churches and institutions in the state. “We contacted them,” says Howard, “and we’ve been doing business with them ever since.”

In fact, the Bonds have established a CGA in each of the Continued on page three The Bonds are shown here in the workroom Howard designed for Eleanor’s rug-braiding hobby.

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Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

An Expression of Faith…

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What if there was a way to earn an income for life, give security to a loved one, and leave a gift to continue the Glory of God? Consider setting up a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA), which will provide you with a steady income for life, could provide security for a loved one for life (twolife) and would provide a gift to Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in the future. Your gift could ensure that Austin Seminary continue its mission: For the glory of God, and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, a seminary of the Presbyterian Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip individuals for the ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership.

The benefits of a CGA are the certainty, predictability, and security in this unstable economy.

With a single-life gift annuity, you will receive a reliable and steady lifetime income stream on a payment schedule you chose. According to your age at the time of the gift, a rate will be assigned and

Single Life Rates

your income will be fixed. It will not rise or fall with the economy but will be the same amount every year.

With a two-life CGA you will have a steady income stream as in the single-life gift annuity; however, upon your death you can provide a loved one a secure future with a steady income for life. With a two-life gift annuity, the payment rate is based on your loved one’s age, and you have to consider gift tax calculations. However, any gift tax may be offset by the income tax deduction you will receive.

Establishing a CGA from Austin Seminary is simple. We provide you with a personal illustration so you can see how your age and contribution amount work together. It will show your tax deduction and your taxable income.

Since part of your contribution for a CGA is considered a charitable gift by the IRS, you will receive a charitable income tax deduction to apply on your itemized tax return. v

For a free, confidential and detailed description of the benefits of a CGA, fill out and return the response form on the back cover or call Lisa Holleran at 512-404-4803.

If you have included Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in your estate plan, we’d love for you to tell us so we can take the proper steps to thank you.

Two Life Rates

Age Rate

Age (younger person) Rate

60....................5.2% 65....................5.5% 70....................5.8% 75....................6.4% 80....................7.2% 85....................8.1% 90+..................9.5%

60.................. 4.9 - 5.0% 65.................. 5.1 - 5.2% 70.................. 5.4 - 5.6% 75.................. 5.7 - 6.1% 80.................. 6.3 - 7.0% 85.................. 7.1 - 7.9% 90.................. 8.3 - 9.0%

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

The Sampson-Vinson Heritage Society

2011 / 1

2011 / 1

Austin Seminary’s Board of Trustees named the Sampson-Vinson Heritage Society for its first two presidents, whose vision and faithfulness a century ago established the foundation for this school of the church. It is also intended to express appreciation to those who have provided for the continued health of Austin Seminary through their estate and financial plans.

Membership in the Sampson-Vinson Society is open to those who have included Austin Seminary in their wills, life-income plans, trust and real property remainder interests, or beneficiary designations under life insurance and retirement plans.

For more information on how your legacy might live on through those called to lead Christ’s church into the future, contact Lisa Holleran in the Office of Institutional Advancement at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary: 512-404-4803; 100 East 27th St., Austin, TX 78705; lholleran@austinseminary.edu.

Testame

Toward ensuring the future of the church Continued from page one

last eight years, supporting sev- decade. “That’s a fantastic return eral Presbyterian causes, including on your investment,” says HowAustin Seminary. They became fa- ard. “And the fact that it’s incomemiliar with the Seminary through tax exempt—it turns out to be an their congregation, which has enormous investment.” supported both Austin Seminary The Sampson-Vinson Eleanor Bond likes being able Societ Heritage and all Presbyterian seminaries to help the people who work for through the Theological Educa- the church, including those who tion Fund. are called as its future pastors. “The The Bonds, who are both in church has meant a lot to us,” she their nineties now, are delight- says, recalling the friends she has ed with the arrangement. “For there and relationships she’s built our situation it’s fantastic,” says over the years. Investing in the fuHoward. “The older a person is, ture of the church through charithe more it benefits.” The Bonds table gift annuities makes sense, are currently receiving quarterly simply because, as Eleanor puts it, payments of 8%-11% on annual “We want the church to go on.” v contributions made over the past Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Giving is a wonderful expression of faith…

A Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) ensures an income for life now and helps to provide for the future of Christ’s church.

I am/We are interested in a: o Single-life annuity o Two-life annuity *Amount: $ __________________________________________ Name:________________________________________________________________ Second Person’s Name (if applicable):_________________________________________ My birthdate: ____/____/____ Second person’s birthdate: ____/____/____ Address: _______________________________________________________________ City: ___________________________ State: ___________ Zip: __________________ Phone: __________________________ Email: ________________________________ * The minimum to establish a CGA is $2000.

Please clip this coupon and mail to: Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 100 East 27th Street, Austin, TX 78705 Questions? Call Lisa Holleran at 512-404-4803; lholleran@austinseminary.edu.

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The Sampson-Vinson Heritage Society Newsletter

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