Williams Bequest Intention

A bequest intention can help you make a larger reunion gift than you might have thought possible because it allows you to retain control of your assets during your life. There is no minimum amount for this gift. All pledges are non-binding.

You future gift can be a bequest intention specified in your will or a trust, or it can be  a beneficiary designation  in a retirement account  or life insurance policy. Many donors are making their bequests using an IRA to take advantage of income tax benefits. 

You can still consider a current gift which can be an outright gift or pledge to be completed within the next five years.  It can be your annual gift to the Alumni Fund or an  additional gift to a 50th  Reunion class gift purpose or other agreed upon gift purpose. 

Bequest intentions are eligible for gift credit at 75% of the current value after your 45th Reunion. There is no minimum amount for this gift. All pledges are non-binding. 

Williams Bequest Intention

Your bequest intention will make you a new member or reaffirm your membership in The Ephraim Williams Society, which honors alumni, spouses, parents and  friends who have demonstrated their commitment to Williams’ future by establishing  planned gifts or including the college as a charitable beneficiary of their estate plans.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

1. Between your 45th and 50th Reunions, complete, sign, and date a Bequest Intention pledge form and list your gift purpose(s).
    
2. Provide Williams staff with copies of your bequest intention supporting documentation (excerpt from will or trust or a beneficiary designation form from your IRA, life insurance, or other account.)
    
3. Share with Williams staff the contact information of your legal counsel, executor, trustee, retirement plan administrator, and or family member.
    

STARTING AT THE 55TH REUNION 

Alumni are eligible for the remaining 25% gift credit for a bequest intention to be recognized at their 55th Reunion (or later) assuming their bequest intention is un-changed (or more credit if they’ve made an addition, the value of their bequest has increased due to an increase in their estate or account, or they’ve paid off the original bequest intention with outright gifts).