Thrivent Funds
Over the past five years eligible Thrivent members have designated over $12,000 ($10,273 COS and $1780 to Endowment Fund) by taking advantage of Thrivent Choice. This is another way in which Thrivent, a 501(c)9 Fraternal Organization, distributes its profits to member activities.
The funds are generated from qualifying insurance premiums and/or annuities held by its members. If you receive notices re: Thrivent Choice opportunities, please review and consider directing funds to COS or the COS Endowment Fund, If you are not a Thrivent member and would like to learn more you can go to www.thrivent.com or call Mark Gluckner, (866.614.4839) our local representative, who will provide personal information for you.
LUTHERAN CHURCH EXTENSION FUND
BETTER, HIGHER RATES! The LCEF is now offering to all investors a Partners Plus investment opportunity that will support loans to churches, schools, pastors, and other church workers. This new Partners Plus program is offering a 4.00% fixed rate 2-year note. Also, it offers a 3.75% fixed rate 4-year note.
LCEF is continuing to offer the Y.I. Club for young investors at a premium rate for amounts up to $1000. They also offer a Connect Plus program for NEW investors at a 4.50% fixed rate. Call the LCEF at 1-800-843-5233. (Tiered amounts/1 per social security number.)
If you have had a Financial Plan in place for five or more years perhaps you may want to review the plan with your Tax Advisor and remember the Endowment fund in your planning. Or you might consider the Tax advantages of a gifting stock which has gained in value this year; you can deduct the value of the stock as a charitable gift and avoid the income tax. (Please be sure to have the stock sent to the Fund and do not cash it in.)
Alternately consider a gift of life insurance or other assets to your COS Endowment Fund. This fund will intentionally keep its principle intact, and as it grows will utilize its net income for future ministries which God presents to the COS family of faith.
“Christ Our Savior Endowment Fund at Work”
A brief comment from one of the thank you notes received, “The timing could not be more perfect as we recently purchased some new A/V equipment to better serve the needs of folks here and abroad though the ministry of the Bridge City Community” – Pastor Josh. Thanks, Christ Our Savior, for your support of the Endowment Fund! Please contact any member of the Endowment Committee for more information.
Key Points:
Opportunity to make a substantial gift that may not have been possible in your lifetime or with your resources
Potential to provide life income for a beneficiary as well as support for our mission
Potential to reduce income and/or estate taxes
Contributions can now be debited automatically from your checking or savings account. Our electronic giving program offers convenience for you and much-needed donation consistency for our congregation. Authorization forms are available from the church office. Please place completed forms in a sealed envelope, address to Financial Secretary, and return to the church office. Thank you for your participation. Any questions, please contact the Church Office.
Gifts of Appreciated Securities: If you are claiming itemized deductions and have stocks or bonds that have appreciated in value, you can get a double tax benefit by making a charitable donation of these securities. The full value of the securities (up to 30% of Adjusted Gross Income) will qualify for a chari-table deduction, and the gain that would otherwise be recognized if the securities are sold is not taxed.
“Qualified Charitable Distributions” for RMDs: If you are over 70 ½ , have a traditional IRA or other retirement accounts, and are required to make “minimum distributions” (RMDs) each year, a direct transfer from the trustee of your retirement account to a qualified charity up to $100,000/year (called a “qualified charitable distribution” or QCD) may be excluded from taxable income. This permits taxpay-ers with RMDs who claim the standard deduction to get a tax benefit comparable to those who itemize. QCDs may also be beneficial for those who itemize, since the reduction in Adjusted Gross Income may avoid higher Medicare premiums, higher taxation of Social Security benefits, and “scale backs” that ap-ply to medical and other itemized deductions.
To achieve the intended result, it is essential that QCDs be processed and posted to the IRA prior to year- end. IRA trustees generally require that a form be submitted in order for them to submit a check directly to the charity. In this case, it is important that the form be submitted well in advance of year-end (i.e., not later that the first week in December). Fidelity and certain other trustees provide for check books for making direct IRA transfers that can expedite this process. Consult your tax advisor or a mem-ber of the COS Endowment Committee if you desire more information.
With about three months left this year, October is an excellent time to check your withholding amounts. In IR-2019-149, the Service explains enhancements to the Tax Withholding Estimator tool on IRS.gov. The "estimator" is a mobile-friendly tool with new features for self-employed individuals. Many taxpayers now are self-employed or have income from side gigs. Users can enter their wage, pension or other retirement income. Any side income may then be added. The estimator will highlight your potential deductions from side income. These may include a self-employment health insurance deduction, a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) or other qualified retirement plan. Side income is also subject to self-employment tax, but there may be a partial self-employment tax deduction.