Posted December 29, 2003

As the New Year comes upon us, we hope you enjoy your celebration—with moderation and prudence, of course. And come Thursday, make a resolution that really means something for you and your family: resolve to make 2004 the year you take control of your estate planning.

Careful planning can help you direct the flow of your money away from the IRS, and towards you, your heirs, and non-profit organizations like the Claremont Institute. There are many options:

• A charitable remainder trust can allow you to take an immediate tax deduction, while giving you and your spouse income for the rest of your life.
  
  
• You don't have to use cash to make your gift—you can give us appreciated securities instead, and use an asset that cost you less than the tax deduction you'll get for it today.
  
  
• You can also make a gift that costs you nothing during your lifetime—make us a beneficiary of your will or revocable trust, or a beneficiary of your retirement plan, and leave your cash flow and current financial planning uninterrupted.

You work hard for your money. And we are pleased to provide for you a website that explains in detail the various ways you can get the most out of it—for you, your family, and the principles you believe in. For more information on estate planning options, click here: http://www.claremont.gift-planning.org

And of course, you still have time to make an end of the year gift to the Claremont Institute to support our Claremont Review of Books, the work of our Washington Fellow, William J. Bennett, our Publius & Lincoln Fellowships, National Security Project, Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence, Program for the American Family, and Center for Local Government. A contribution via credit card can be made by visiting our home page at https://www.claremont.org/membership/

All of us at the Claremont Institute wish you a great 2004.