Don’t know where to start? These six simple steps take you through everything you need to think about when including a gift in your Will to the RNLI.
1. Request your free Gifts in Wills Guide
This is a great first step to learning how to include a gift in your Will to the RNLI and the lifesaving difference your gift will make.
The guide contains:
- facts on how gifts in Wills help the RNLI and how your gift could be used
- details of our free Wills services
- guidance on how to write or update your Will
- the wording needed to add a gift to the RNLI in your Will
- information on your name being added to a legacy lifeboat
- and our heartfelt gratitude for caring about the RNLI’s lifesaving future.
2. Choose what to include in your Will
Estimate the value of your estate
Your estate includes any property, cash, bank and savings accounts, stocks and shares, and personal possessions you own. Any outstanding bills, debts and invoices must be deducted to establish the potential value of your estate. In some cases, inheritance tax may be payable.
Consider inheritance tax
If you leave a gift in your Will to charity, you may be able to reduce your inheritance tax liability. We recommend talking to your solicitor for further advice and information.
Family opinions
Your Will is a reflection of what matters to you, and for most people that is their family and friends. The RNLI is all about protecting people, and so of course we believe you should protect the people you care about with your Will. Your loved ones come first – we respect that and won’t try to change it.
Putting a gift in your Will to charity doesn’t stop you doing that, especially if the gift is from whatever is left over after all your gifts to family have been made.
We find that most families are proud of the gifts their loved ones leave to the RNLI.
3. Decide what gifts you'd like to give
You don't have to be wealthy in order to leave a gift in your Will to charity. Many of our lifeboats are paid for by a gift, or a number of smaller gifts, that people leave in their Will. But gifts in Wills also pay for lots of other things too - crew kit, lifeguard training and the fuel that keeps our lifeboats running. So whatever the size of your gift - large or small - you can be sure we will use it to help save lives.
Including a gift in your Will to the RNLI doesn’t affect how much money you have to provide for old age. Your estate is calculated based on whatever is left after you die. And if you arrange your gift to the RNLI as a residuary gift, it will only be paid out after all the other gifts you leave to your family or friends have been made.
Types of gifts
- Pecuniary gifts are specified sums of money. If you would like a gift of money to keep its value over the years, it's a sensible idea to ask your solicitor to index-link it.
- Residuary gifts are made from whatever is left over once gifts of money and specific items have been distributed. You can give the whole of the residue, or a portion of it, to a person or a charity like the RNLI.
- Specific gifts are 'things', such as a painting, a house or a ring.
Your solicitor will be able to explain these types of gifts in more detail.
Choose how your gift is spent
Most people leave their gift to the RNLI without specific conditions so that it can be used wherever it's most needed and will have the greatest effect. And it can be hard to know where that will be 5, 10 or 20 years ahead.
If you would like your gift to be spent in a specific way, please contact our Gifts in Wills Team to discuss the different options available.
Our promise to you
When you leave a gift in your Will to the RNLI, we promise:
- We’ll answer any questions honestly and quickly.
- We won’t put you under pressure - this is a big decision so please decide in your own time.
- We understand that your loved ones come first.
- We'll respect what your Will says.
- We’ll use your special gift wisely and effectively.
- You don’t have to tell us your decision - we respect your right to privacy.
- You can come and see our service first-hand - just let us know.
4. Choose your executors
The executors of your Will are the people who administer it when you are gone. They tell the beneficiaries about their gifts and settle any debts you owe. They also deal with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in the UK, and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners in Ireland, where necessary.
You need to be able to trust them, and they need to be prepared to take on this responsibility.
You can name a family member (including someone benefiting from your Will) or a friend.
Alternatively, you can use a professional like an accountant or solicitor (who will normally require payment from your estate). Or, if you prefer, a combination of relatives, friends and professionals.
5. Write a new Will or update your existing Will
You can write a new Will or update an existing Will for free online, in person or over the phone, using our free Wills services.
The wording you need to add to your Will
If you already have a solicitor in place and would like to leave a lifesaving gift to the RNLI, provide them with the following appropriate wording.
Residuary gift
Subject to the payment of my debts, funeral and testamentary expenses, I give the whole/_____ % of my estate not otherwise disposed of by this my Will to The Royal National Lifeboat Institution of West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ, a registered charity in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (CHY 2678 and 20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man (1308 and 006329F), the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney, for the general purposes of the RNLI and I declare that the receipt of its Treasurer or other proper officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge.
Pecuniary gift
I give free of tax to the The Royal National Lifeboat Institution of West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ, a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (CHY 2678 and 20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man (1308 and 006329F), the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney, the sum of £________ for the general purposes of the RNLI and I declare that the receipt of its Treasurer or other proper officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge.
Residuary gift
Subject to the payment of my debts, funeral and testamentary expenses, I give the whole/_____ % of my estate not otherwise disposed of by this my Will to The Royal National Lifeboat Institution of West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ, a registered charity in the Republic of Ireland (CHY 2678 and 20003326), England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736) and the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man (1308 and 006329F), the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney, for the general purposes of the RNLI and I declare that the receipt of its Treasurer or other proper officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge.
Pecuniary gift
I give free of tax to The Royal National Lifeboat Institution of West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ, a charity registered in the Republic of Ireland (CHY 2678 and 20003326), England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736) and the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man (1308 and 006329F), the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney, the sum of €________ for the general purposes of the RNLI and I declare that the receipt of its Treasurer or other proper officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge.
Restricted wording for the Republic of Ireland
If your wish is for your gift - residuary or pecuniary - to be used in Ireland once we receive it, replace the words ‘for the general purposes of the RNLI’ with: ‘for the benefit of RNLI activity in Ireland’.
6. Let us know about your gift
By telling us about your interest in leaving a gift in your Will to the RNLI, or about a legacy gift you have already pledged, you’re helping us plan for the future.
Please let us know so that we can thank you personally and be on hand to help you with any next steps. We also respect your decision to keep this private if you prefer.
When you leave a gift in your Will to the RNLI, you'll be providing volunteers like me with the equipment, training and craft that we need to save lives at sea.