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Legacy Giving

Major IRA Gift

In late 2006 Alan Appleford, of Oakland, California parlayed a 43-year-career with Bechtel Corporation into a significant tax-free gift to Ploughshares Fund. He used his Bechtel-funded IRA to substantially increase his annual gift to Ploughshares. The timing was not by chance.

The 2006 Pension Protection Act allowed donors for the first time to transfer IRA funds to good causes like Ploughshares tax-free. Alan asked for information on the Act from Ploughshares then made the IRA transfer, taking care that the check went directly from his IRA custodian to Ploughshares Fund.

Alan: In my high school and college years I was involved with issues of social justice and peace through the Congregational Church. The church was concerned about the use of the atomic bomb in World War II. It was a quiet voice, but it was there. It is part of my way of looking at the world.

Alan, who grew up in the Berkeley Hills the son of staunchly conservative parents, developed a penchant for peace and justice that never left him, blossoming into quiet financial support for causes like Ploughshares mission to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. The Ploughshares Fund newsletter, received years ago, made Alan a steady contributor.

Almost drafted into the Marines during the Korean War, he went through two physicals before being rejected for near-sightedness.

Alan: I joined Bechtel in 1951, three days after I received my BA in civil engineering. My work at Bechtel was almost exclusively with nuclear power. A couple of times I was asked to get into programs to build weapons facilities, and I said no.

Of his tax-free IRA transfer to Ploughshares he says that he will likely use the same technique this year. The Pension Protection Act which allows the transfers expires at the end of 2007.

Alan: People should be alert to seize this chance. It's a window of opportunity.
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The 2010 IRA charitable rollover passed the House and awaits Senate approval. It is not currently available. Because it is very likely to pass this year, we ask you to continue to plan for a potential IRA charitable rollover in the fall of 2010. To learn more click here.

For more information please select one of the following options:

1. If you would like to receive more information on the benefits of an IRA gift click here.

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