Bequest Language

Sample Gift Language for Your Will or Revocable Living Trust

Planning for the future and creating the legacy you wish to leave is one of the most effective ways to ensure a lasting impact. Making a gift in your will or living trust, known as a bequest, can guarantee that your legacy endures. Your gift may be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate or the remainder after all other provisions are specified.

Our federal tax ID number is: 13-5562308

Below is suggested language to use when drafting your bequest.

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A gift to NYU in your will or revocable trust enables you to support our mission and make a difference in the lives of future generations. A bequest:

  • is easy to arrange.
  • will not alter your current lifestyle in any way.
  • can be easily modified to address your changing needs.

Residual Gift Language

A residual bequest comes to us after your estate expenses and specific bequests are paid:

I give and devise to New York University, located in New York, NY, all (or state a percentage) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program).

Specific Gift Language

Naming New York University as a beneficiary of a specific amount from your estate is easy:

I give and devise to New York University, located in New York, NY, the sum of $___________ (or asset) to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program).

Contingent Gift Language

New York University or its affiliates can be named as a contingent beneficiary in your will or personal trust if one or more of your specific bequests cannot be fulfilled:

If (insert name) is not living at the time of my demise, I give and devise to New York University, located in New York, NY, the sum of $ _______ (or all or a percentage of the residue of my estate) to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program).

Retirement Plan Beneficiary Language

You may name New York University as a beneficiary of your IRA or other qualified retirement benefits. Donors should consult with their tax advisor regarding the tax benefits of such gifts.

Naming NYU as the beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan asset such as a 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Keogh or profit-sharing pension plan will accomplish a charitable goal while realizing significant tax savings. It can be costly to pass such assets on to heirs because of heavy tax consequences. By naming NYU as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, the donor maintains complete control over the asset while living, but at the donor's death the plan passes to support NYU free of both estate and income taxes.

Making a charitable gift from your retirement plan is easy and should not cost you any attorney fees. Simply request a change-of-beneficiary form from your plan administrator. When you have finished, please return the form to your plan administrator and notify New York University. We can also assist you with the proper language for your beneficiary designation to NYU.

Customized Language

If you or your attorney would like NYU to provide you with customized beneficiary language that is specific to your goal and interest, please contact us.

Need a codicil? Download a sample codicil form.

Please contact Meryl R. Cosentino at 212-998-6960 or meryl.cosentino@nyu.edu for more information.