Support us

Developments in medical science and medical science policy will continue to accelerate in the coming years. With your help we can ensure the Academy remains in a position to identify emerging issues and has the resources to move swiftly to address them.

By leaving a legacy you will be helping to secure the future of academic medicine in the UK. Money left to the Academy provides vital funding to enable us to continue to do our work.

FAQs

Do I have enough to leave a legacy?
A common misconception is that a legacy has to be a large sum of money. Of course family and friends would come first in your thoughts, but any charitable legacy left in a Will, no matter how small or how large, is hugely valuable to the organisations you support. We wish to acknowledge every legacy donation, and by letting us know your intentions, you will help us to plan for the future. Every donation we receive is important to us.

How do I leave a legacy to the Academy of Medical Sciences?
Leaving a legacy to the Academy of Medical Sciences involves adding a short paragraph (clause) to your Will. Suggested wording can be viewed here, however, we would always recommend using a qualified solicitor to make changes to your Will.

If you are considering leaving a legacy to the Academy please complete and return our contact form.

What basic information do I need to include in my Will?
If you choose to donate to the Academy, it is necessary to include our name, our address and our registered charity number in your updated Will:

The Academy of Medical Sciences
41 Portland Place
London W1B 1QH

Charity No. 1070618
Company No. 3520281, Registered in England

Updating your Will with a Codicil:

If you have already made a Will and the only change you want to make is a bequest to the Academy of Medical Sciences, you can do so by completing a Codicil form.

The Codicil form can be completed at any time and becomes a legal document when signed in the presence of two adult witnesses (not relatives). We recommend you speak to your solicitor about making these changes.

Inheritance Tax: 2011 Budget changes
Important changes were announced to Inheritance Tax (IHT) in the UK Government’s 2011 Budget that will be effective from 6 April 2012.  Your solicitor or accountant will be able to advise you further.

In short, amounts left in your estate after relevant exemptions and reliefs, which are above the IHT threshold, are subject to IHT (in 2011 this stands at 40%). However, new schemes of tax relief introduced for 2012 mean that a donation of 10% of your net estate to charity will reduce the IHT rate from 40% to 36%.  Changes in IHT when an estate includes more than just the assets that are available for distribution under the terms of a Will are complex - we strongly advise that you discuss your plans with an accountant to obtain accurate tax advice.

More information on IHT changes can be found at: www.hmrc.gov.uk/cto/iht.htm

Types of legacies

Residuary Bequest
This enables you to leave the Academy all or part of the remainder of your estate after other legacies and charges have been met.

Pecuniary Bequest
This is a specific sum of money to be given to the Academy. If you wish to leave this form of bequest it is advisable to index-link the gift to inflation. 

Specific Bequest
This enables you to leave the gift of particular assets to the Academy, such as gifts of shares, property or other physical items.

Reversionary Bequest
A reversionary bequest enables you to choose the Academy to be an ultimate beneficiary of your Will, but it allows you to ensure specific assets are available for others in their lifetime. For example, you may wish to leave a property for the use of your spouse during their lifetime. Your solicitor will suggest the specific wording for you to make this type of gift. 

In memorium donations
Instead of funeral flowers, mourners can be asked to make a donation to the Academy in your memory. We would acknowledge all donations and, if applicable, notify next of kin of this generosity. For privacy, we would not disclose the gift amounts.

Further details

If you would like to receive any of this information by post, if you have any questions, or if would like to talk further about your wishes, please do not hesitate to contact the Academy on 020 3176 2152, or treasurer@acmedsci.ac.uk, or write to:

The Treasurer
Academy of Medical Sciences
41 Portland Place
London, W1B 1QH.