Angela Casey: It Takes a Lot of Planning

Angela Casey knows the value of planning. “There’s a certain amount of planning about it. And if you don’t plan, you’re out in the cold. I’m living a fairly contented retirement now and I’m able to make plans for others, including the children at Covenant House.

When I was young, there wasn’t much opportunity for a young woman in Ireland. I knew America offered the chanced I needed, so after prayer and careful planning, I came here over my father’s objections that America was a dangerous and amoral place. When I retired in 1977, I could look back on a rewarding career in office furniture sales, opening the field for other women. On his deathbed, my father finally said to me, ‘I’m very proud of you.’ That was about the best thing I ever heard from anybody. It was all with the help of God. Without Him, I couldn’t have done anything.

Over the years, I planned for my future by investing in the stock market. One time, I made an unusual profit. I said right then, ‘Dear God, whatever I make on this good fortune, I’ll give back to you for the poor.’

I’ve been a supporter of Covenant House since it opened, because of the children. Children can’t help themselves. There’s always something an adult can do, but children are helpless. The quality of a person’s childhood forms their whole life.

For instance, a cousin of mine came from a brilliant family. But from her earliest years, she never felt she quite matched up with others. My cousin would never tell me she needed money, but I wanted to provide for her, so I purchased a life insurance policy for her benefit.

A few years ago, I learned of a plan called a Charitable Remainder Trust that could tie together many of my goals—providing income for my cousin, helping Covenant House and saving taxes. Having the good fortune of owning some Microsoft stock, I used the stock to establish a Charitable Remainder Unitrust with Covenant House to help my cousin. The income tax deduction and capital gains tax I saved were important to me. And it was a pleasant surprise that I could benefit financially from my own life insurance policy by adding it to my trust. The plan provides all these benefits, and a boost to Covenant House, too.

Good planning like this brings contentment in your older years because you’re living with your own handiwork. The Lord has simply been very good to me. I made a deal with the Lord. The Lord has helped me reach my goals and I want to give back as I promised. When much is given, much is expected.”

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