Gift of Life Insurance
A gift of life insurance may offer you great flexibility in supporting the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
- Gift of an Existing Policy
- Gift of a New Policy
Gift of an Existing Policy
You can transfer an existing policy by naming the Canadian Wildlife Federation as the owner and beneficiary. If the policy is completely paid up, you or CWF need pay no additional premiums. The tax receipt is issued for the cash surrender value of the policy plus any accumulated dividends and interest at the time of the transfer. If you continue to pay future premiums, you will receive an annual tax receipt for the premiums paid.
Gift of a New Policy
You can choose to take out a new policy with the Canadian Wildlife Federation as owner and beneficiary. You must ensure that the Canadian Wildlife Federation is both the owner and the beneficiary. If not, Canada Revenue Agency states that no gift has been made and a tax receipt cannot be issued. Under this arrangement, the donor pays the premiums and CWF issues an annual tax receipt for the premiums paid. The insurance proceeds will go directly to the Canadian Wildlife Federation upon your passing.
For Example:
Mrs. Smith has a $100,000 life insurance policy for which she still pays premiums of $2,000 a year. The policy also has $5,000 built-up cash value in the policy. She irrevocably transfers it to the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
- Mrs. Smith creates a future gift for when she dies of $100,000, filling her with a sense of satisfaction and happiness knowing that her Legacy Gift will have a significant impact on the future of Canada’s wildlife and natural spaces in need of the important conservation work of CWF.
- She receives an immediate tax receipt of $5,000, giving her an approximate $2,250 to $2,300 tax credit for her current tax year. She receives a tax credit of approximately 45 per cent each year that she continues to pay $2,000 for the policy premiums.
Note: tax credits vary by province and territory.
If you’re interested in learning more about leaving a gift in your will, please contact:
Chris Smith
Director of Corporate, Foundations and Legacy Giving
yourlegacy@cwf-fcf.org
613.618.0898