Beneficiary Designation Gifts

Build your legacy and change the future.

Your beneficiary gift can build your legacy, and 
change lives for generations to come.

How to List The SAFE Alliance as Your Beneficiary 
Generally, you can name anyone, including The SAFE Alliance, as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy, deferred annuity, or retirement account. You can leave the entire amount of your death benefit to a charity or designate that only a portion of the proceeds goes to the charity and the remainder to a family member or other beneficiary. The charity will receive money from your retirement account tax-free. You can always update your beneficiary designation form if you decide on another charity.

Step 1
Confirm that the charity you want to list as a beneficiary of your life insurance, deferred annuity, or retirement plan qualifies as a 501(c)(3) organization so that any money you leave it will be a tax-deductible contribution. Although other categories of 501(c) organizations are exempt from paying federal income tax, contributions they receive as your beneficiary would be subject to estate or income taxes. Check an organization’s 501(c)(3) status by contacting the IRS or asking to see the charity’s tax-exempt letter from the IRS. The SAFE Alliance is a qualified 501(c)3 and we will happily provide our tax-exempt letter from the IRS upon request.

Step 2
Contact the charity to verify that it will accept the proceeds of your life insurance policy or retirement plan as a charitable donation. Visit a charity’s website for contact information including mailing address, phone numbers and email addresses. SAFE’s information:

The SAFE Alliance
Monica Martinez, Development Manager
PO Box 19454
Austin, TX 78760
512-927-4708
plannedgiving@safeaustin.org
SAFE Tax ID #74-2320657

Step 3
Request a beneficiary designation form from your insurance company, adviser or plan administrator. You may have the option of logging into your insurance or retirement account and updating your beneficiary information online. However, you need to complete a print beneficiary designation form if you've named an irrevocable beneficiary and need that person to sign a waiver. You cannot change an irrevocable beneficiary without the consent of the beneficiary you previously named. Federal law prohibits electronic signatures on waivers.

Step 4
Name a charity of your choice as the beneficiary of your life insurance proceeds or retirement account assets. Identify the charity on the form by listing the organization’s full name, address and tax ID number. Indicate that the beneficiary is a charity on the designation form. Depending on the source of the assets, your estate may qualify to receive a tax deduction for your charitable gift. The SAFE Alliance Tax ID: #74-2320657

Step 5
Name The SAFE Alliance as either as a primary beneficiary or contingent beneficiary. If you name additional primary beneficiaries, the charity will share equally in the proceeds unless you instruct otherwise. Indicate a benefit percentage rather than dollar amount. As a contingent beneficiary, the charity will only receive death benefits if all primary beneficiaries die before you do. Naming a contingent beneficiary is sometimes optional rather than required.

Step 6
Sign and date the beneficiary designation form before returning it to the address the insurance company, deferred annuity, or retirement plan administrator provides. Keep a copy of the completed and signed form for your estate planning record. Designating a charity as your beneficiary will not be effective until the insurance company receives your signed form.

For more information on how you can give through beneficiary gifts, please contact the Planned Giving offices at SAFE:

The SAFE Alliance Planned Giving Office
PO Box 19454
Austin, TX 78760
512-927-4708

As always, we suggest that you seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor to make sure this gift fits your goals.



The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, 
please consult an attorney or tax advisor.
CONTACT US Download This Beneficiary Designation Instructions
Share by: