What Does the SECURE Act 2.0 Mean for You?

Writing photo

What Does the SECURE Act 2.0 Mean for You?

by Rev. Bill Gruenewald

Most people may not be aware that on December 29, 2022, the president signed into law a bill that included the SECURE Act 2.0 (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement), expanding upon the original SECURE Act passed in 2019. The primary purpose of both of these legislations is to encourage businesses to offer a retirement plan to their employees and to encourage individuals to save more for their own retirement.

So how does that affect you personally?

There’s a lot to digest in this act, but the main points for most people as it relates to retirement and estate planning include:

  • Increasing the age when you have to take a required minimum distribution (RMD) from retirement accounts.
  • Increasing the catch-up contributions for retirement for those over 50 years of age
  • Expanding the Qualified Charitable Deduction (QCD) to be able to fund charitable trusts before death

The most important thing to know is that these provisions allow you to save more for retirement and expand your impact with your estate planning. 


For those interested in going a bit deeper on everything the act accomplishes, here are the key provisions:

  1. Increase Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) Age – Increase the beginning date for RMDs from age 72 to 73 starting in 2023 and age 75 in 2033.
  1. Increase Catch-Up Contributions Under a Retirement Plan or IRA – In 2023, the retirement plan catch-up contribution limit for those over 50 is $7,500. Starting in 2025, catch-up contributions for those ages 60 to 63 will be increased to the greater of $10,000 or 50% more than the regular catch-up contribution amount in 2024. Catch-up contributions will be indexed for inflation starting after 2025. IRA catch-up contribution for an individual who attains age 50 will be indexed for inflation starting in 2024.
  1. Expand Roth Contributions – Roth contributions are now allowed for SIMPLE and SEP IRAs. Employer contributions and employee elective deferrals (if permitted) can be designated as Roth.
  1. Roth Catch-Up Contributions – For those with incomes exceeding $145,000, catch-up contributions will be designated as Roth contributions.
  1. Eliminate RMDs for Roth 401(k) Accounts – Starting in 2024, required distributions will no longer need to be taken from Roth 401(k) accounts. 
  1. 529 Plan Rollovers to Roth IRAs – Starting in 2024, beneficiaries of 529 plans may roll over up to $35,000 during their lifetime to a Roth IRA. The rollovers will be subject to annual contribution limits and the 529 plan must have been open for more than 15 years.
  2. Expand 401(k) Automatic Enrollment – Starting in 2025, 401(k) and 403(b) plan participants are automatically enrolled in the plan once they are eligible to participate. Some details are:  
    • Initial contribution of at least 3% of their salary.
    • Each year contributions would increase by 1% until a goal of 10% is reached, but not more than 15%.
  1. Emergency Savings Account – Beginning in 2024, employers can establish an emergency savings account where employees can save up to $2,500 in a Roth-style account. Distributions will be treated like a qualified distribution from a Roth account (tax-free if requirements are met). 
  1. Exemption from 10% Early Distribution Penalty for Withdrawals for Certain Emergency Expenses – In case of financial hardship, up to $1,000 may be withdrawn per year, penalty-free, from a 401(k) or IRA. The employee has the option to repay the distribution within three years. No further distributions will be permitted during the repayment period unless the distribution is paid in full.
  1. Modify the Saver’s Credit – To encourage those with low and moderate incomes, an eligible individual who makes a qualified retirement savings contribution shall be allowed a matching contribution. Starting in 2027, the government will provide 50% credit on savings up to $2,000 ($1,000 maximum credit). Credit is available regardless of whether the taxpayer has an income tax liability. 
  1. Student-Loan Matching Program – Student loan payments will be treated as Employee Elective Deferral for purposes of matching contributions.
  1. Increase Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract (QLAC) Contributions – Up to $200,000 can be contributed into a qualified longevity annuity contract. The prior 25% of the income limit is eliminated.
  1. Reduce RMD Excise Tax – Reduced excise tax for failure to take required distributions from 50% to 25%.
  1. Expand Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) – The QCD rules are expanded to allow for a one-time $50,000 distribution to a charity through a split-interest entity, including charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder unitrusts (CRUT), and charitable remainder annuity trusts (CRAT). Beginning in 2024, the $100,000.00 annual limit on QCDs will be indexed for inflation. 
  1. Annuities in 401(k) Plans – Removal of barriers to the use of annuities in qualified plans by exempting certain annuity features from actuarial tests that would otherwise prohibit their use.
  1. Retirement Savings Lost and Found – The Labor Department will create a national online searchable lost and found database. This database will help individuals locate retirement savings they might have trouble otherwise locating.

Taking advantage of these provisions can allow you to save more for retirement and make an even greater impact with your estate for Kingdom purposes. We know thinking about estate planning can be overwhelming at times, but it doesn’t have to be. 

The Tennessee Baptist Foundation is able to guide you as you plan your estate so you are making decisions that reflect your faith and further the Kingdom of God even beyond your lifetime. Give us a call today or fill out our brief contact form at any time to learn more. We’d love to help you leave a legacy that makes a difference.


Ready to get started?

You can reach us via phone at (615) 371-2029 or fill out this form.

Please note that the advice offered in this article is not intended to be construed as tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice for the reader. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

Everyone has an estate, but not everyone has a plan. Do you have a plan? Take our 10 minute estate plan audit to get started.

Learn More

Your Guide to Year-End Charitable Giving [2022 Update]

Hands holding change with "make a change" note

Your Guide to Year-End Charitable Giving [2022 Update]

by Rev. Bill Gruenewald

As the year comes to a close, many of us are thinking about our year-end giving. This year has brought some financial challenges for many people, but there are many charitable strategies that can help when tax time rolls around. Now is a great time to review some charitable giving ideas and see if any make sense to implement before 2022 ends, especially as you think about supporting your church or other Baptist cause.  


For 2022:

Above-the-Line Deduction for Cash Contributions

  • If you currently use the standard deduction for taxes, you can claim an additional deduction of up to $300 (couples can claim up to $600) for cash donations to public charities this year.

Charitable Deduction Limit

  • In 2021, the CARES Act allowed 100% of AGI as a deduction limit for cash contributions. However, for 2022 this has now reverted back to limiting cash donations to 60% of AGI if you itemize deductions. 

Make a regular donation 

The easiest way to make a gift is to simply write a check or donate online (if your church has this capability). If your check is postmarked by December 31 or if your online donation is processed by December 31 (note that the time of day may be important), you may be able to take a charitable deduction for the gift, depending on your particular tax situation.

Batching contributions

For 2022, the standard deduction is $12,950 for individuals and $25,900 for couples. Overall this is great for taxpayers, but it does make it a bit harder to take advantage of deducting charitable contributions if your overall deductions do not exceed the standard deduction. 

One strategy around this issue is to “batch” your charitable contributions, meaning that you combine this year’s gifts with what you anticipate giving next year and make both contributions in 2022. You’re basically loading up two years of gifts in one tax year. Thus, you have a higher charitable amount to apply toward your deductions in 2022, which may yield better results than simply taking the standard deduction.  

Give gifts of appreciated assets 

Many people find themselves holding stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate that have significantly increased in value. Selling these assets may create substantial capital gains for the owner. 

However, rather than increasing your tax burden, you can donate the appreciated asset to your favorite Baptist cause. You get a deduction for the full market value of the asset, and the charity recognizes no gains when it sells the asset. Win-win! 

Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) / Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)

For those with traditional IRA accounts, if you are aged 70 ½ or older and have other sources of income to draw upon, you can direct your IRA custodian to transfer a portion of your retirement assets to a public charity as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). The donation counts as part of your Required Minimum Distribution but is not included in your taxable income.

Donate cash from the sale of depreciated securities

Taxpayers benefit from recognizing losses rather than gifting depreciated securities. Consider harvesting tax losses from your portfolio and donating the cash proceeds. In this way, you can recognize a tax loss that can offset any capital gains for the year or be used to offset up to $3,000 of your ordinary income, and you will receive a charitable deduction for your cash donation. Tax-loss harvesting may be a popular strategy in 2022 as taxpayers seek to reduce their taxable income.

Increase your charitable giving when you expect higher annual income

Charitable donations are deductible and may reduce your taxable income. You may consider increasing your charitable giving in years where your income is expected to be higher due to a liquidity event, stock options, capital gains, or Roth conversions.


Remember, when the ball drops on December 31, you will lose the ability to take advantage of these strategies for 2022. If any of these ideas interest you, begin the process now to make sure you allow plenty of time for the process to be completed by year-end. 

The Tennessee Baptist Foundation is ready to answer any questions you may have about these year-end tax strategies. Contact us any time at 615-371-2029. We would love to help.


Ready to get started?

You can reach us via phone at (615) 371-2029 or fill out this form.

Please note that the advice offered in this article is not intended to be construed as tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice for the reader. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

Everyone has an estate, but not everyone has a plan. Do you have a plan? Take our 10 minute estate plan audit to get started.

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Why You Need to Know What’s in Your Estate

Apple Pie Slice

Why You Need to Know What’s in Your Estate

by Rev. Bill Gruenewald

Knowing what assets you have is critical for effective estate planning

My grandmother made the best apple pie I have ever tasted. I would watch her take the ingredients and put them together, and it was a sight to behold. However, she did not have all the ingredients written down on the recipe she handed down to my mother. So, after she passed away, my mother, my sister, and even my wife tried to make my grandmother’s pie. These pies were pretty good, but they still did not taste like my grandmother’s. Why? We did not have all the ingredients!

You can develop a pretty good estate plan, but if you do not know all the ingredients (aka “assets”) it might not turn out the way you intended. Knowing what makes up your estate is very important because what you desire to accomplish with the distribution of assets at your death depends on the type of asset to be distributed.

You have several classifications of assets in your estate: there are liquid assets (checking and savings accounts) and non-liquid assets (real estate, investments, retirement plans, and life insurance). While all of these assets make up your estate, they are handled differently when they are distributed at your death. 

Let’s look at two asset examples:

  • Personal Property – These assets are part of your gross estate and the portion of the estate that is handled in the probate court. They are distributed to the person(s) you name in your Last Will and Testament (LWT). That one is pretty easy.
  • Life Insurance – This asset is also part of your gross estate, BUT it is not a part of your probate estate. Why? Because this is an asset that passes after your death to a named beneficiary. 

So, you may ask, “What’s the big deal? Why do I need to be concerned about asset classifications?” It becomes a big deal if what you intend to do based on what you have written in your LWT is not accomplished because you did not consider the types of assets you have and how they are passed to beneficiaries. It could be that the bulk of your estate actually passes outside the terms of your LWT. Let me show you how this plays out:


Let’s say Mrs. Jones is widowed with 2 grown children. She has an estate made up of $20,000 in a checking account, some furniture ($5,000), a vehicle ($5,000), and a life insurance policy worth $100,000, which each child is 50% beneficiary of the policy.

If we add all these together, her estate would be worth $130,000. In her LWT, she wants 30% of her estate to go to her church and 70% to go to her children. So, what she intends based on the sum of her assets is that $39,000 go to the church and $91,000 to her children.

But based on her assets and how they are classified, will her wishes be carried out? Let’s see!

The life insurance (per the beneficiary designation that calls for the policy to be divided equally between her children) will go to her children and not be a part of her probate estate. So, they get the $100,000.

What assets are left? The remaining assets $30,000 make up her probate estate. Based on her LWT, then the church would get 30% ($9,000) and the children would get 70% ($21,000). So the church ends up with $9,000 and the children get $121,000. Is this what she intended? Not per her LWT. She did not take into account that the life insurance would pass to her children outside her probate estate.


This is a scenario that happens often in estates. Life insurance, retirement accounts, and annuities are normally controlled by your beneficiary designations and not your LWT. If Ms. Jones had looked at the type of assets she had, she could have made different decisions to carry out her true wishes.

So how can you avoid issues like this? Download our 10 Minute Estate Audit, then contact us and we can walk you through the process of putting your Estate Plan in order. We are ready to help you! CLICK HERE to get started.  


Ready to get started?

You can reach us via phone at (615) 371-2029 or fill out this form.

Please note that the advice offered in this article is not intended to be construed as tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice for the reader. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

Everyone has an estate, but not everyone has a plan. Do you have a plan? Take our 10 minute estate plan audit to get started.

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Fund the work you believe in with an IRA Charitable Rollover

baptist mission

Fund the work you believe in with an IRA Charitable Rollover

by Rev. Bill Gruenewald

Save on taxes by funding Kingdom work

The best way to maximize most retirement accounts, like a traditional IRA, is to allow it to mature and accumulate earnings. However, at age 72 it is mandatory for a person to take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), which is taxable.

The best way to avoid these high taxes on your Required Minimum Distribution is to donate your RMD to a qualified charity that you trust.

This activity is called an IRA charitable rollover.

The Tennessee Baptist Foundation’s expert team can serve you and your financial planner by establishing a charitable rollover that will fund work worthy of your finances while you save on taxes.

You can invest in a foundation that includes church evangelism projects, college and seminary scholarships, and endowment funding for churches and associations across our state.

What is an IRA Charitable Rollover?

Traditional IRAs now require you to make RMDs once you reach age 72. Because you did not pay federal income tax when you contributed the money to your account, you need to pay tax when you withdraw it. However, you can avoid the tax on that distribution by making a donation directly from your IRA to your church or any charity. That’s an IRA “charitable rollover,” and is also called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). 

So instead of paying tax on that money, it goes directly to a cause you believe in. This also has can reduce the impact of some tax credits and deductions like Social Security and Medicare.

The IRA Charitable Rollover was first made available as part of The Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA) and was permanently extended in December 2015.

How Qualified Charitable Distributions Work

You must be at least 70 ½  years old to make a QCD, and the maximum annual exclusion for QCDs is $100,000. You can deduct up to $100,000 in charitable contributions from your income taxes. If you file a joint return, you and your spouse each have a $100,000 exclusion limit. You will need to pay income tax on any distributions above the exclusion limit. Note also that it is possible for a QCD to cover your entire RMD.

The donation must be made directly from your IRA to a qualified charity. The money never touches any other of your personal accounts. A charity can qualify for a tax-deductible, qualified charitable distribution if it is a 501(c)(3) organization. Private foundations, donor-advised funds and supporting organizations do not qualify.

How is the QCD Reported on Your Taxes?

You will report a QCD the same way you would report a normal distribution from your IRA. Use Form 1099-R for the tax year that you made the distribution

On your Form 1040, report the total amount of the QCD on the line for IRA distributions. If the amount covered your entire RMD, enter a zero on the line asking for the taxable amount.

If you made a QCD but it did not cover your entire RMD, you will need to make an additional distribution. You will need to file Form 8606, Nondeductible IRAs, to report showing that you made this additional distribution.

In Summary

A QCD, also called an IRA charitable rollover, allows you to lower your tax bill if you contribute money directly from your traditional IRA to a charity. The charity needs to be a 501(c)(3) organization, and you can deduct up to a limit of $100,000. You have the same personal limit if filing a joint return. You will need Form 1099-R to report this distribution. You will also need to file Form 8606 if your QCD doesn’t cover your entire RMD.

The Tennessee Baptist Foundation team will give expert and easy-to-follow hands-on assistance in setting up your charitable rollovers that will continue to fund outreaches throughout communities across our beautiful state.


Ready to get started?

You can reach us via phone at (615) 371-2029, email us at tbf@tnbaptist.org, or fill out this form.

Please note that the advice offered in this article is not intended to be construed as tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice for the reader. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any trans

Everyone has an estate, but not everyone has a plan. Do you have a plan? Take our 10 minute estate plan audit to get started.

Learn More

Should You Set Up a Charitable Remainder Trust?

Should You Set Up a Charitable Remainder Trust? [2022 Update]

By Rev. Bill Gruenewald

If you are interested in supporting a charity or cause with your assets after you pass, there are several ways to do it, but a charitable remainder trust (CRT) can be uniquely beneficial. It takes a bit more complex planning than other trusts, but it has the distinct ability to not only support a charity (like a Baptist cause), but also guarantee income for you/your family for a season and earn a tax deduction all at once. 

What is a charitable remainder trust?

A CRT is an irrevocable trust created by a donor whereby the donor or other individuals (usually a spouse or other family members) receive income for a certain period of time from the trust, and when that time has passed, the trust terminates and the remaining funds in the trust create a memorial fund to provide income that is paid to a charity. 

Who should consider creating a charitable remainder trust?

Suppose you’re interested in helping support a charitable cause and you have an appreciated asset or retirement asset that could be used to make a gift to the charity. In this case, a CRT might be a wise decision for you. 

How does a CRT help with taxes?

With the two types of assets mentioned above, if you were to sell or access them yourself, you could incur substantial tax obligations. A CRT helps address these taxation issues. First, the donor can shift the taxable consequences for selling the appreciated asset or accessing retirement funds to the CRT (which pays no taxes). 

For example, if you own an asset on a low-cost basis (such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, etc.) and sell it outright, you would realize a capital gain in the year of the sale. However, the same low-basis asset can be gifted to a CRT. 

Even if the CRT sells the asset as soon as it is received, no capital gains are realized by the trust immediately. They are instead spread over a number of years to the people receiving income from the CRT. 

Thus, when the donor begins receiving income from the trust after the gift, he or she has effectively converted a taxable asset to an income stream for him/herself without having to pay the full capital gains tax bill in one year. 

Additionally, using retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, etc.) to fund a CRT after a donor’s death can be a tax-efficient way of making the initial gift into the CRT. While an individual who receives money from a retirement account has to include all retirement distributions in their ordinary income in that tax year, a CRT does not realize the same tax obligation.

Thus, a retirement account can be fully paid out to a CRT in a lump sum without recognizing this usually large income tax bill. The beneficiaries then begin receiving income from the trust, only paying income tax on the distributions they receive in a particular tax year.

This strategy can be particularly effective when a donor wishes to provide income to family members after his or her death while still ensuring that the charity receives a benefit in the future from his or her retirement assets. 

Secondly, while it is true that the income paid from a CRT to a recipient is taxable, the exact taxation is calculated based on a tiered system. Without going into full detail on the system, the bottom line is that using the calculation usually softens the income tax impact on the individual receiving income because each dollar received is taxed according to the type of income to which it is attributed (i.e. capital gains, ordinary income, tax-free income, etc.).

Some income tax classes are taxed more favorably than others. The full impact of taxation on the beneficiary will depend on the assets used to fund the CRT, how assets within the trust are sold, and the type of income the CRT earns each year. For most, however, the tiered system gives a more favorable result when it comes to individual taxation. 

Finally, in the year of the gift, the donor gets the added benefit of a possible tax deduction. This can be especially useful if the donor has been blessed with a higher income in a particular year.

What kinds of CRTs are there?

There are two main types of CRTs when it comes to structure: the Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT) and the Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT). The primary difference between these two CRTs is how the income distributed to the persons is calculated. 

In a CRAT, the beneficiaries receive a fixed amount each year, while with a CRUT, the beneficiaries receive a fixed percentage of the assets held in the trust. The best method for payout depends on the unique situation that the donor is trying to address. 

A CRT is a sophisticated strategy, and as you might imagine, there are particular rules that must be closely followed from beginning to end. However, for the suitable donor, the CRT may be a perfect solution, accomplishing many long-term benefits at the same time.


Want to know more?

You can reach us via phone at (615) 371-2029 or fill out this form.

Please note that the advice offered in this article is not intended to be construed as tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice for the reader. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

Everyone has an estate, but not everyone has a plan. Do you have a plan? Take our 10 minute estate plan audit to get started.

Learn More

Christian Estate Planning – Why is it so important?

The Importance of Christian Estate Planning

By Rev. Bill Gruenewald, President-Treasurer

An estate plan is an essential preparation everyone must have. But what does it mean to create one rooted in your faith? There are many benefits to Christian estate planning, but I believe there are three foundational reasons why every believer should spend the time to diligently create an estate plan that will benefit both the loved ones they leave behind and the Kingdom.

  1. Everyone has assets that must be distributed at death
  2. It is an act of biblical stewardship
  3. It is a way for Christians to leave a legacy after they’re gone

1. Christian Estate Planning Starts With A Distribution of Assets

No matter your economic level, when you leave this life, the assets you have accumulated must be distributed somewhere. You might’ve heard the saying, “I have never seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul!” That is the reality. We do not take the material things of this life with us to Heaven. 

That being said, we all need to make provisions to pass along the possessions we have. While one might think they do not have very much, once you start listing all your assets on a sheet of paper, most will soon realize they have more than they thought. There are some assets that will be distributed based on the titling of the asset or beneficiary designation, like real estate, life insurance, and retirement accounts. 

An Estate Plan Starts with a Last Will and Testament

Beyond the aforementioned assets, a Last Will and Testament is the best and most common way to distribute the majority of your possessions. If you die without a Will, the State of Tennessee will determine how your assets will be given away. So, it behooves all of us to have our own plan in place.  

If you’d like to learn more about Last Will and Testaments, how they work, and how to make one, click here to read our article on the subject.

Everyone has an estate, but not everyone has a plan!

Tennessee Baptist Foundation

2. A Faith-based Estate Plan is an Act of Stewardship

The Bible contains over 2,000 verses related to money and stewardship. The Holman Bible Dictionary defines stewardship as: Utilizing and managing all resources God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation.

One of the key words in this definition is managing. That is what the word stewardship means. We are the managers of the resources God has given us. Every believer in Christ must understand the principle that God owns everything. Psalm 24:1 states, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (KJV) A good manager will make provisions for things that are under his care. That does not stop at death. To be a faithful manager we must make plans to pass along the assets under our care so that they can be used to help others and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. We all must be faithful stewards of our resources!

3. An Estate Plan Leaves a Legacy of Faithfulness

What do you want to be remembered for? I think it is intrinsic in all of us to leave some legacy to our family and friends. One of the great opportunities we have as Christians is to leave something from our estate that will take the gospel to the next generation. The Tennessee Baptist Foundation is available to help any Tennessee Baptist learn how they can take care of their family and bless the next generation with a faith-based estate plan. Psalm 145:4 states, “One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.” (KJV) What greater way to help the next generation than leaving resources for them to proclaim the cause of Christ?

 It’s your faith and your legacy! Give us a call. Let us help you leave that legacy.


Ready to get started?

You can reach us via phone at (615) 371-2029 or fill out this form.

Please note that the advice offered in this article is not intended to be construed as tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice for the reader. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

Everyone has an estate, but not everyone has a plan. Do you have a plan? Take our 10 minute estate plan audit to get started.

Learn More

10 for Tenn | An investment with eternal impact

Illustrated three-generation family spending time near their decades-old tree in the front yard

Forever Impact God’s Kingdom Through “10 for Tenn”

By Rev. Bill Gruenewald, President-Treasurer

Since 1938, the Tennessee Baptist Foundation has been working to ensure that Baptist Churches in Tennessee are equipped to do the work of the Kingdom. Through the generosity of committed believers like you, we have been able to support churches, fund mission efforts, start new churches and create scholarships, and bring glory to God through the work of His people. 

But we want to do even more.

And by God’s grace, we believe the Lord will multiply His Kingdom through an impactful initiative called 10 FOR TENN. See the infographic below to understand just how far a small estate gift can go, or download the PDF here.

Download the 10 for Tenn infographic HERE

Throughout scripture, God challenges us to follow His example and give generously because he wants us to receive the blessing that comes through it. But most people don’t know that they can also honor God with their giving through estate planning. 

Though it is common for Christians to give to their churches throughout their lifetime, only 6% of Americans leave gifts to the church in their estate. 

This is mostly because they don’t know they can or they don’t know how to do it. In fact, 6 out of 10 Americans don’t even have a Last Will and Testament, leaving their estate to the decisions of others.

That’s where the Tennessee Baptist Foundation comes in. We’ll guide you through the process of adding a legacy gift of 10% to your will that will ensure you’re investing in the future of sharing Christ in Tennessee. We can also help you plan the remaining 90% so that your family is taken care of.

When you leave a legacy gift with the Tennessee Baptist Foundation, you are sowing a seed of investment that will reap unimaginable rewards. Consider the story of the mustard seed — the smallest of all seeds. Despite its size, with many years of proper tending it will grow to be a great tree, able to provide protection and nutrients to all of God’s earth.

With our tending, your legacy gift will grow exponentially into the future, providing the resources to do the work of the Kingdom for generations to come. Imagine the everlasting impact your gift could have on the Kingdom! 

Imagine what the Lord might do through your gift. Souls will be saved. The Kingdom of God will be preached and lives will be changed forever. Give us a call at (615) 371-2029 to learn more about how you can start your investment today!

10 for Tenn – Today’s Plans. Tomorrow’s Impact.


Ready to get started?

You can reach us via phone at (615) 371-2029 or fill out this form.

Please note that the advice offered in this article is not intended to be construed as tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice for the reader. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

Everyone has an estate, but not everyone has a plan. Do you have a plan? Take our 10 minute estate plan audit to get started.

Learn More

Christian Estate Planning: Create a Legacy Giving Ministry

Tennessee church illustration

Create a Legacy Giving Ministry to Provide Long-term Benefits

By Rev. Bill Gruenewald, President-Treasurer

Churches are called to reach the lost and disciple believers to live out the Gospel. Stewardship is an aspect of discipleship that encompasses how we manage the resources God gives to us for His Kingdom. Most people think that stewardship only focuses on the tithe, but it includes so much more. Planned Giving (or Legacy Giving) through Estate Planning is an important part of stewardship that is often neglected.

Christian Estate Planning—also known as a Planned Giving Ministry—can provide resources for years to come if your congregation clearly understands the model.

However, there are some things to consider:

1. Be Proactive

The 2019 Millennial Wealth Report from WealthEngine stated that Baby Boomers are expected to pass $68 trillion in assets to the next generation by 2030. This will pass primarily through wills and trusts, but the church could be overlooked if they are not named as beneficiaries in the donor’s documents. Colleges, hospitals, and other philanthropic endeavors are often included, but if the local church is not proactive in seeking these gifts, it will be a missed opportunity.

Statistics show that 60-70% of people do not have a will or trust in place. That is 7 out every 10 people in your church! While many of these people give their tithe regularly, that often doesn’t carry over to estate gifts. The Stanford Social Innovation Review reports that fewer than 6% of Americans include a charitable bequest in their estate plan. Why is this? Most people do not know how to give through their estate plan and they are not asked.

The key takeaway here is to proactively talk about Legacy Giving so church members understand what it is and how to make a gift through their estate.

2. Make it a Ministry of Stewardship 

Most churches spend some resources in equipping members to understand Christian financial planning for debt and household budgets. But many leave the more complex topic of estate planning to the individuals to do on their own. Most people think it is too difficult and neglect the opportunity.

Without proper estate planning, higher court costs leave less to give to family or the church. The church can help members understand how to be good stewards through the strategic allocation of their assets. With the right guidance, estate planning can be less formidable and made easier. That is where the Tennessee Baptist Foundation (TBF) comes in. We will work closely with churches to develop a Legacy Ministry and with individuals to help them get their estate plans complete. When churches team with the TBF, it’s a win-win!  

We have a great resource for churches: 6 Reasons Estate Planning Conversations Should Start in the Church. Download the ebook today to learn more about this topic.

Empower your church to make a Kingdom impact through their estates. The TBF is ready to help your church enhance your ministry through Planned Giving. Give us a call at (615) 371-2029 and we can get started today!

6 reasons estate planning conversations should start in the church
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Ready to get started?

You can reach us via phone at (615) 371-2029 or fill out this form.

Please note that the advice offered in this article is not intended to be construed as tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice for the reader. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

Everyone has an estate, but not everyone has a plan. Do you have a plan? Take our 10 minute estate plan audit to get started.

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Investing Involves More Than Dollars & Cents at the TBF

students at graduation

Investing Involves More Than Dollars & Cents at the TBF

by Rev. Bill Gruenewald, President-Treasurer

When most people think about the work we do at the Tennessee Baptist Foundation (TBF), they think about our monetary investments in equities and fixed income as we try to help Tennessee Baptist churches and entities build a strong financial foundation for the future. But there is another asset class of TBF investments: students!

The TBF scholarship program provides financial assistance to students from Tennessee Baptist churches. These students represent a cross section of Tennessee Baptist life. They come from different parts of the state, representing churches of all sizes with educational emphasis in a variety of degree programs, including teaching, medicine, business, and of course, preparing for full-time Christian ministry positions. Because of this cross section, these students are poised to make a significant Kingdom impact in the marketplace. That is what our scholarship program is all about—impacting students so they can impact the world!

2021 was a milestone year for the TBF Scholarship program as we eclipsed $6 million in total scholarships awarded since 1987, when we started the program. The Foundation has awarded 8,237 scholarships in all.

How is this made possible?

By the generous giving of Tennessee Baptists who believed in students and left money from their estates in trust to the Foundation for our scholarship program. Here is a testimonial from a student who received a TBF scholarship:

“I will begin my Civil Engineering degree this year at Western Kentucky. I have committed to living a life on mission and hope to use this degree on the mission field in the future. I hope to build water reserves for small towns and villages and help those in need. My degree should open doors for me to be able to find work most anywhere. I am excited to see what God has in store for me and how he is going to use my skills and talents to further his Kingdom and bring him glory.

Applications are now open for the 2022-2023 school year on our website, with an application deadline of April 30. Visit tbfoundation.org/students to apply.

We want to invite you to make an investment in the lives of students for Kingdom impact. If you have this desire, please contact us so that we can help you design an estate plan that includes scholarships for Tennessee Baptist students. You have the wonderful opportunity today to impact the world for years to come. Consider a Faith-Based Estate plan that includes helping students be all that God is calling them to be!


Ready to get started?

You can reach us via phone at (615) 371-2029 or fill out this form.

Please note that the advice offered in this article is not intended to be construed as tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice for the reader. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

Everyone has an estate, but not everyone has a plan. Do you have a plan? Take our 10 minute estate plan audit to get started.

Learn More

Operation Legacy Benefitting Pastors

Man reading Bible

Operation Legacy Benefitting Pastors

by Rev. Bill Gruenewald

[This article originally appeared in Baptist and Reflector in October 2021]

In March 2021, the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (TBMB) and the Tennessee Baptist Foundation (TBF) launched an initiative to help all Tennessee pastors and ministers get their estate plans in place. We partnered with PhilanthroCorp, a faith-based company that works with charitable organizations in the area of estate planning and planned giving. 

They work with many other state Baptist foundations as well as the International Mission Board. The TBF believed with the size of this project, help would be needed, and felt PhilanthroCorp was a good partner. The TBF has and will continue to work with all Tennessee Baptists in helping get their estate plans finalized.

We have seen many pastors and ministers take advantage of this free service. Since March 2021, a total of 62 pastors throughout the state have started working on their estate plan thus far, and 14 have completed their estate plan with over $3.5 million in future gifts for Baptist causes.

The goal of this project was to have the spiritual leaders of our Tennessee Baptist churches live out their stewardship by taking care of their estate plans so they can be examples to their church.

Danny Sinquefield, senior pastor of Faith Baptist Church, Bartlett, had this to say about his experience:

“Rhonda and I had an old basic will that we had drawn up when our children were young.  We definitely needed a revision. When I heard about the connection between our Tennessee Baptist Foundation and Philanthrocorp, I was very excited to investigate the opportunity of getting our financial plans in order.

The most helpful aspect of this plan for us was the concept of leaving charitable gifts to our church and other ministries in our will.  

Honestly, that was something we didn’t really know how to make happen, but it is one of the first items on the list with this great Christian company. We were also very grateful to see how the Tennessee Baptist Foundation could serve as a managing partner to actually increase our estate over the years and provide a maximum benefit to our sons once we are in heaven. The guidance from the representatives at Philanthrocorp was so practical and helpful. They helped us think of things that we had not considered and we are truly grateful.”

Danny Sinquefield | Senior Pastor of Faith Baptist Church, Bartlett

Another minister, Sam Nichols, the Executive Pastor at First Baptist Church Collierville, shared about his experience:

“I had been planning on updating my will for some time. It was written when my children were younger. Now they are adults and my wife and I believed that our will should reflect our current situation. When I heard about the arrangement between the TBC and Philanthrocorp, I contacted John Russell to begin the process. Philanthrocorp was very easy to work with. They were professional, helpful, and insightful. It was a painless process thanks to their expertise.”

Sam Nichols | Executive Pastor, First Baptist Church Collierville

Statistics say that seven out of 10 people DO NOT have a current estate plan in place. This includes ministers and their families as well. The TBMB and the TBF not only see this project as a ministry to our pastors but also see it benefiting Kingdom work for years to come. 

Sinquefield shares this message to all Tennessee pastors and ministers:

“I would encourage all of my pastor friends and others to consider using this company for your estate planning. Rhonda and I feel confident that we are being good stewards of God’s blessings and that our gifts to ministry partners will advance the gospel for years to come. We rest well knowing this planning is settled and sealed. It was a most enjoyable and beneficial process from start to finish.”

The TBF’s mission is to manage funds with integrity and help Tennessee Baptists leave legacies with a Kingdom focus. If you are a pastor and have not taken advantage of this opportunity, please contact the TBF at 615-371-2029 or visit our website at tbfoundtion.org.

January is a great time for all of us to look at our estate plan and either complete it or update a current plan. Make this a New Year’s resolution for 2022!


Ready to get started?

You can reach us via phone at (615) 371-2029 or fill out this form.

Please note that the advice offered in this article is not intended to be construed as tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice for the reader. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

Everyone has an estate, but not everyone has a plan. Do you have a plan? Take our 10 minute estate plan audit to get started.

Learn More
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