Glossary

Want to know what your tax advisor or attorneys are saying in plain English? Find out below or call or e-mail the Betty Ford Center Foundation for assistance.

Betty Ford Center Foundation
(800) 854-9211 ext. 4105 or (760) 773-4105
Bfc-foundation@bettyfordcenter.org

Word or Phrase What it means
Beneficiary

The person or charity who receives whatever you designate from your Will or Living Trust.

Beneficiary Designation

The person(s) you name to receive the proceeds from your Individual Retirement Account, life insurance, Tax Sheltered Annuity or other kinds of retirement benefits.

Charitable Gift Annuity

An annuity policy purchased from Betty Ford Center. The donor(s) receive income for the term of the annuity. At the end of the term, the remainder in the account is donated to Betty Ford Center. Minimum gift is $5,000.

Charitable Deduction

Refers to the income tax deduction a donor may receive by giving to charity. Deductions of large gifts may be spread over five years. Tax benefits may depend on the donor's entire tax situation, not just the gift.

Charitable Lead Trust

The donor creates a trust and irrevocably funds it (see definition of "irrevocable" below). The Betty Ford Center gets the income for the term of the trust. At the end of the term, the donor's beneficiaries receive the remaining principal. Minimum gift is $100,000.

Charitable Remainder Trust The donor creates a trust and irrevocably funds it. The donor or spouse receives income for the term of the trust. AT the end of the term, the remaining principal goes to the Betty Ford Center. Minimum donation is $100,000.
Estate All of the property and assets owned by you at the time of death. This property will be distributed according to your wishes as outlined in your Will, Trust or other document. If you do not have a document in place, your estate will be distributed.
Income (from a Trust) The interest earned by the trust assets. May also include rents or royalties from assets in the trust.
Irrevocable The terms of the trust or gift cannot be changed.
Life Insurance An insurance policy that pays out a fixed amount upon the death of the person insured. Life Insurance can be used to fund a donation to the Betty Ford Center. The donor can purchase a policy (preferably a one or two payment whole life policy) and designates the Betty Ford Center as a beneficiary. Donors may also give paid-up policies as a donation or buy life insurance naming heirs as beneficiary to offset decrease in the estate's cash that was used to create a trust or that would have been received by retirement funds.
Living Trust Also known as a revocable trust. The donor can change the terms of the trust at any time. Acts in some ways as a Will by distributing the property in the estate, but has particular benefits for people who have property or children from a prior marriage, or for people who want to name someone to handle their affairs if they become ill. Distribute of the estate can be completed without court supervision using this kind of trust.
Retirement Benefits Savings accounts or employer-sponsored programs designed to provide income for you when you stop working, usually sometime after age 59 ½. Many plans, including IRAs or 401(k) plans provide income to you at a time when you are assumed to be in a lower tax bracket. The income is taxable. Since the accounts were created with pretax dollars, individual beneficiaries must pay income tax on any funds inherited from the accounts. Some donors name the Betty Ford Center as a beneficiary on large accounts to help heirs avoid income tax and replace the sum involved with other kinds of assets.
Revocable The terms of the trust or other document can be changed at any time.
Will Your final written document giving instructions to your survivors about how to dispose of your estate. The document can include your burial wishes and can nominate someone to care for any children under age 18 still living with you or any dependent adults you are responsible for.
(800) 434-7365 ext.4105