Legacy giving

There are several different ways in which you can choose to support Imperial in your will.

•  A residuary gift is a contribution of the remainder of an estate once other gifts and payments have been made. This type of gift is popular because it takes care of others first and remains proportional to the value of your estate by keeping pace with inflation.
•  A pecuniary gift is a fixed sum of money specified in your will. The value of a pecuniary gift could decrease over time, due to inflation.
•  A specific gift refers to a named item, such as a piece of jewelry or property.
•  A reversionary gift allows you to leave assets for the care of a loved one for the duration of their life. When they die, your gift will then go to your chosen charitable recipient.

There are many cases you can support with your legacy gift. Please get in touch if you want to discuss your options for supporting research, education, or leaving your gift to assist priority areas where the need is greatest.

Including Imperial in your Will is one of the most tax-efficient ways of supporting the university. After providing for your family and friends, your estate may be subject to inheritance tax. It may therefore be advantageous to distribute your estate so that your family and friends are left gifts below the tax threshold (currently £325,000 until 5 April 2015) and therefore not subject to inheritance tax.

From April 2012, a new law has been introduced to help reduce the inheritance tax bill for those who give to charity. If your estate is worth over £325,000, and you leave 10% to a charity, tax may be paid at a reduced rate of 36% instead of 40%.

Find out more how inheritance tax works.

Informing the Advancement Division of your decision will also enable us to put you in touch with any relevant people at Imperial, answer your specific questions and also to thank you and acknowledge your generosity during your lifetime.