Are you looking for a simple, convenient way to make a gift to charity this year without dipping into your checking or savings account?  If you are over 70 1/2, you can transfer up to $100,000 from your IRA to charity in 2009 without paying any federal income tax.  Your gift can be made simply by notifying your IRA plan custodian of your intent to make a current transfer to us or another charitable organization.  And you will feel good knowing that you were able to make a simple easy gift from your IRA this year.  For more information on how to make an IRA rollover gift in 2009, please contact us. 

Personal Planner

Income for Surviving Spouse Harold and Helen were concerned about planning for the future. They had built a substantial estate of $1,200,000. When Harold was 70, he rolled over his $400,000 qualified retirement plan into an IRA. More ...

	"Seven Ways to Leave Retirement Benefits To Charity" Presenter - Salvatore J. LaMendola, JD, CPA, Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, PC, Attorneys and Counselors At Law.
	"Gifts of Life Insurance to Charity" Presenter - David R. de Reyna, JD, LL.M., Kotz, Sangster, Wysocki and Berg, PC, A Michigan Law Firm.
	"Identifying One's Gifting Capacity During Lifetime - Effective Wealth Planning and Gifting Strategies" Presenters - Joseph Saker, MBA and Tara C. Thompson, CFA, CFP, Alliance Berstein Global Wealth Management.

Fixed Income for Retirement After working for decades as a pediatrician in a small rural town, Patricia Brown was ready to retire. Patricia owned some stock but was concerned about leaving it in the market where it could go up or down. She needed a secure source of retirement income for the future. More on Fixed Income for Retirement >>.

Capital Gains Tax Bypassed Peter and Gail Williamson were nearing retirement. Over the years, with the help of their financial advisor, they made solid investments in securities and built a sizable portfolio. More on Capital Gains Tax Bypassed >>.

Easy IRA Gift Barbara retired after forty years as a teacher. She had volunteered for many years with The Salvation Army - Eastern Michigan Division. More on Easy IRA Gift >>.

Peace of Mind Gift Annuity Many years ago, Clara Lehman bought a home. Since she was so pleased with the home, she decided to buy stock in the company that builds and sells homes like it. Over the years, the stock has increased in value many times, but the value has been volatile. More on Peace of Mind Gift Annuity >>.

• View the donor stories.
• View a personal color story for yourself.
• Read the Personal Planner.
• View the Personal Finance Note for this week.
• Learn about personal finance news.
• Meet our planned giving staff. We are here to help you.
• Sign up for our free weekly personal finance newsletter.

Wally Savage Director of Planned/Major Gifts Monroe & Wayne Counties Phone: 248.361.1062

Ruth Stoel Gift Planning Specialist Metro Detroit Area Phone: 248.808.2091

Charna Boquette Gift Planning Specialist Washtenaw, Livingston, Lenawee, and Hillsdale County Phone: 248.361.1255

Douglas Speck Gift Planning Specialist Northern Michigan Area Phone: 810.210.7967

Ellen Schmidt Estate and Legacy Specialist Phone: 248.443.5500 ext. 335

Mary Kraft Gift Planning Specialist Norhtern Oakland County Phone: 248.200.4369

Jason Hale Gift Planning Specialist Southern Oakland County Phone: 248.941.9230

• View the latest charitable tax news.
• Research charitable tax questions.
• Calculate a charitable deduction.
• Sign up for the free weekly charitable tax e-newsletter.