Beneficiary Designation

An Easy Way to Make a Meaningful Gift

A beneficiary designation gift is a simple and affordable way to make a gift to support St. Thomas. You can designate St. Thomas as a beneficiary of a retirement, investment or bank account, or your life-insurance policy.

While many people think of a will as their estate plan, there is another way to pass along assets that doesn't require the expense of an attorney. You can designate beneficiaries for retirement assets, investment and bank accounts, and life insurance policies — by completing a simple form that usually is available online.

Advantages of beneficiary designation gifts include:

• Meaningful Impact. For many donors, their largest assets are their beneficiary accounts. Naming St. Thomas as a beneficiary is meaningful to them because it can make a significant difference in students' lives.
• Flexible and Revocable. You can modify or revoke the beneficiary designations at any time during your lifetime.
• Cost-effective. In most cases, there is no need to amend your will or trust, saving legal fees.
• Tax advantages. Retirement assets left to St. Thomas avoid income taxes for heirs and qualify for estate tax deductions.
• Bypass probate. Giving assets via a beneficiary designation will avoid the probate process.
• It's easy! Simply fill out a brief beneficiary designation form provided by your financial institution or plan/policy administrator. You will need our legal name and tax ID.

Want to name us as a beneficiary? Let us know!

When you name St. Thomas as a full, partial or contingent beneficiary, you are eligible to become a member of our Finn Legacy Society – a special community of supporters committed to the university's future.

By informing us of your plans, we can ensure that your gift is used just as you intend and express our gratitude during your lifetime.

Thank you for considering a legacy gift to support future Tommies!