Earl Tarble Uses Charitable Gift Annuity to Create Student Scholarship and Receive Income for Life

When Earl Tarble ’65 considered making a gift to Swarthmore, he initially thought of an outright gift. However, a conversation with Catherine Huang in College Advancement-Gift Planning revealed a giving option that combines generosity with long-term financial security: a charitable gift annuity (CGA).

With a CGA Tarble’s gift returns fixed payments for life, which he finds especially attractive. “When you get to be an octogenarian, [the rate] is 8.5%. Even though I have a degree in economics, I can’t find anything in the market that will pay me a guaranteed 8.5% over the rest of my life,” he says.

Tarble chose to fund his CGA using a qualified charitable distribution from his IRA — up to the allowable limit — which helped reduce his taxable income while establishing a future scholarship at Swarthmore. “I get money back for life,” he explained, “and the gift creates a scholarship fund to help future students.”

A native of rural Illinois, Tarble credits Swarthmore with opening his eyes to interests outside of his academic major, including art and art history. He also credits Swarthmore with broadening his perspectives and sharpening his critical-thinking skills.

While Tarble’s family has a proud history at Swarthmore — his grandfather and great-uncle both graduated from the College in 1913 — his decision to make a planned gift was grounded in a broader philosophy of giving. Inspired by the generosity of his relatives and a belief in education, Tarble said, “I have enough to meet my needs. And if you have more than enough, then why not share it?”

Tarble urges fellow alumni to join him in making a planned gift, saying setting up a CGA was remarkably simple. “It was truly so easy, and I’m so grateful.”