Create a Lasting Legacy
Include WesleyLife in your will.
Include WesleyLife in Your Will
Adding WesleyLife to your will and estate plan makes your legacy one of compassion and action as you support WesleyLife's life-changing mission beyond your lifetime. To learn more about an estate gift to WesleyLife, please contact our team. We can work alongside you, your financial advisors, CPA and estate attorney to help solve your financial goals while maximizing your charitable impact.
Donating IRA and Other Retirement Assets
Secure Act 2.0 Retirement Provisions
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD)
Those who are age 70.5 or older can contribute up to $100,000 from their IRA directly to WesleyLife and avoid paying income tax on the distribution. Known as a qualified charitable distribution, this is limited to IRAs, and there are other exclusions and considerations that apply. In tax years after 2023, the limit of $100,000 will be indexed for inflation.
A donor can also make a QCD of up to $50,000 to fund a Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT), Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT), or a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA). Learn more about trusts and CTAs below.
Required Minimum Distributions (RMD)
The age for a required minimum distribution (RMD) is 73. In 2033, the age will increase to 75.
Types of Estate Gifts

Deferred Estate Gifts
A common way to give, a deferred estate gift is created in advance of a person's passing, then transferred when a will is executed. This option is the simplest type of estate gift to establish.
Including WesleyLife in Your Will
This option is a simple way to leave a lasting impact that may be greater than what one can give during a lifetime. This simple and powerful form of giving comprise most estate gifts. An estate attorney can work with you to specify whether you'd like to gift:
- a specific amount of cash
- a percentage of the estate's value
- the remaining value of the estate after all other bequests are paid
Entrance Fee Give-Back
Residents at a WesleyLife Community for Healthy Living can choose to return their entrance fee, or a portion of it, as a donation to benefit their community. This type of giving is easy to set up and often speeds the process of closing an estate.
Retirement Plans and Life Insurance
Donors can also name WesleyLife as the beneficiary of their life insurance policy or unused retirement-plan assets.
- Gifts are often larger than the amount a donor would be able to give during their lifetime.
- This is a sensible option for paid-up policies or retirement accounts that won't be used. It also can help other inheritors avoid income and estate taxes.

Income-Paying Estate Gifts
This type of donation involves a large up-front sum that creates an income stream that pays back to the donor. Structures for this type of gift include annuities and trusts.
Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)
To create a charitable gift annuity, a donor contributes an irrevocable gift of cash or securities to WesleyLife in exchange for a fixed-income payment for a set term or for life. When the donor passes or the annuity terms expire, the leftover funds are retained by WesleyLife.
- This type of gift protects your income and retirement funds.
- Donors receive an immediate tax deduction on the gifted amount.
Charitable Income Trusts
Creating a charitable income trust allows donors to make a major gift while ensuring their income increases from their assets.
The initial gift creates an irrevocable trust that generates a potential income stream for the donor or other beneficiaries. Donors are eligible for a partial tax deduction on contributions made to the trust. The trust has a term limit of 20 years. The remainder of the donated assets after the term expires benefit WesleyLife.
There are two types of trusts available to donors:
Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT)
- Distributes a fixed annuity amount
- Additional contributions are not allowed
Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT)
- Distributes a fixed percentage based on the balance of the trust assets
- Distribution amount is revalued annually
- Additional contributions are allowed

Asset-Protecting Estate Gift
This type of gift is structured to protect the donor's assets during their lifetime and provide to their heirs.
Charitable Lead Trust
This type of gift is the opposite of a charitable remainder trust. The initial gift creates an irrevocable trust that generates a fixed income stream for WesleyLife for a period of time, with the remaining assets benefiting the family members or other beneficiaries when the term ends.
- The term can be fixed to a number of years or the donor's lifetime.
- The trust decreases the amount of estate tax for which beneficiaries are responsible.
Retained Life Estates
A donor can transfer a property deed or title to WesleyLife while retaining their right to use the property. Donors receive an income tax deduction for the property's value. Once the set term has expired, the retained life estates belong to WesleyLife.
- Simplifies estate settlement process
- Reduces estate taxes
Take a tour lorem ipsum dolor

Feature description donec ullamcorper nulla non metus auctor fringilla. Integer posuere erat a ante venenatis dapibus posuere velit aliquet. Vivamus sagittis lacus vel augue laoreet rutrum faucibus dolor auctor. Sed posuere consectetur est at lobortis. Optional learn more about lorem

Feature description donec ullamcorper nulla non metus auctor fringilla. Integer posuere erat a ante venenatis dapibus posuere velit aliquet. Vivamus sagittis lacus vel augue laoreet rutrum faucibus dolor auctor. Sed posuere consectetur est at lobortis. Optional learn more about lorem

Feature description donec ullamcorper nulla non metus auctor fringilla. Integer posuere erat a ante venenatis dapibus posuere velit aliquet. Vivamus sagittis lacus vel augue laoreet rutrum faucibus dolor auctor. Sed posuere consectetur est at lobortis. Optional learn more about lorem
“Everyone from WesleyLife Hospice helped our aunt feel comfortable, loved, and cared for. Not only did they support and care for Maxine, but they comforted family members as well. You are angels.”
“Mom was ready to go. I knew she wouldn't have wanted to suffer, and WesleyLife Hospice made the process comfortable and as pleasant for her and for all of us as possible. In the end, Mom was at peace.”
“We were so afraid of asking about hospice. Once we did, we wondered what had taken us so long. Mom is more relaxed, and she has more good days.”
“The Hospice team provides excellent training, support, and feedback that lets me know my service is valued. As a bereavement volunteer I routinely hear about the superior care and compassion families feel they and their loved ones receive from WesleyLife Hospice staff. I am proud to be part of such a committed organization.”
“My mama was blessed to have WesleyLife Hospice take care of her in her final days. They made it possible for her to pass in her own home. The compassion and care was outstanding. From the bottom of my heart I will always be thankful they were a part of our lives. I would highly recommend this wonderful organization to family and friends.”
“Our family is so grateful to have had WesleyLife Hospice care for both of our parents about a year apart from one another. The comfort measures provided to our parents and the communication and support to my family was invaluable. While death of a parent is never easy knowing each was wrapped in comfort eased our pain. Thank you to all those who cared for our entire family.”
“They took care of my mom through her illness and passing. Gentle, caring, and supportive, as well as knowledgeable and professional. So grateful for how they helped our family.”
Get in Touch with Our Team
Email Sophia or Matthew to inquire about including WesleyLife in your will.
If you have included us in your estate plans and are not already a member of the Legacy Society, please let us know so we may add, thank, and recognize you. You may also be recognized anonymously, if you choose.
More from WesleyLife

Supporting our Neighbors: What Nonprofit Senior Living Means
Learn how nonprofit senior living communities positively impact residents’ culture, community, and care.
Read More
Impact Your Community: Giving Back with Volunteer Jobs in Des Moines
Get inspired to give back with these volunteer jobs in Des Moines.
Read More
5 Ways for Seniors to Get Involved in Their Communities
It’s never too early (or too late) to start giving back to the organizations or community you love. Read this post for some inspiration.
Read More