In 2008, the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC), along with congressional leaders, passed H.Res 1499, designating the third week of October as National Estate Planning Week. The resolution was deemed necessary after a 2004 poll commissioned by the American Institute for Certified Public Accountants found that two-thirds of Americans over the age of 65 had not adequately prepared for retirement and nearly half of all Americans were unfamiliar with retirement tools, such as an IRA or a 401(k) plan.
National Estate Planning Awareness Week is designed to encourage millions of Americans to protect themselves and their families in the event of sickness, accidents, or untimely death by having an up-to-date estate plan.
The simple definition of an estate plan is the act of preparing for the transfer of a person’s wealth and assets after his or her death. Assets, life insurance, pensions, real estate, cars, personal belongings, and debts are all part of one’s estate.
Additionally, careful estate planning, including the designation of beneficiaries, considerations regarding organ donation and life support, as well as durable powers of attorney for health care can greatly reduce confusion among family members or heirs upon the death of a loved one.
National Estate Planning Week is an opportunity to plan your legacy. Simply contact an accredited estate planner or estate planning law specialist in your area for advice and guidance on preparing a will or trust.
Consider an act of generosity by remembering HFOT in your estate plans. You can significantly impact the lives of our severely injured Veterans by restoring some of the freedom and independence they sacrificed while defending our country. Your legacy will continue to help our mission of Building Homes and Rebuilding Lives.
Types of Planned Gifts:
- Bequests/Wills
- Gifts of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA’s)
- Gifts of Stock
- Name HFOT as a beneficiary on a fully funded Life Insurance Policy
- Name HFOT as a beneficiary for your 401k account
Consider your legacy today by giving to your family and HFOT in the future. If you are interested in including Homes For Our Troops in your estate plan, contact Suzanne Shaheen at sshaheen@hfotusa.org or CLICK HERE for more information on the HFOT Estate Giving program.