Most testamentary donors are not millionaires / 7 popular misconceptions about charitable inheritance – and what's really true

Munich (ots) - Bequests are a topic often accompanied by ignorance and misunderstanding. Do only lonely, wealthy people really leave their money to charitable organizations? And is the majority of people truly unwilling to share their inheritance for a good cause? A recent forsa survey commissioned by SOS Children's Villages Worldwide provides surprising answers – and dispels seven widespread misconceptions. 1) Misconception: Bequests are only relevant for very wealthy people. Reality: Most bequests come from people with average incomes – not millionaires. The willingness to leave a bequest to a charitable cause is not tied to one's bank balance, but rather to the desire to do good beyond one's own lifetime. On average, Germans would donate €12,600 to charity out of a fortune of €100,000. 2) Misconception: Only single people leave their money to charitable organizations. Reality: Couples, parents, and grandparents also set an example for future generations by supporting causes close to their hearts with their inheritance. The desire to pass on values, not just wealth, is an important motive. 3) Misconception: Potential heirs reject their parents' testamentary donations. Reality: Almost three out of four potential heirs in Germany (72%) are willing to forgo part of their inheritance in favor of a charitable organization. A strong message for social cohesion. Young women are particularly generous (77%).

4) Misconception: A testamentary donation is complicated, expensive and time-consuming.

Reality: Anyone can easily write a will by hand. NGOs often provide support with the appropriate wording if they are to be remembered. 5) Misconception: Charitable bequests are a marginal phenomenon. Reality: Almost half of Germans (46%) can imagine remembering a charitable organization in their will. Charitable bequests are not a niche topic, but a growing trend. More than a third of the income of SOS Children's Villages worldwide comes from testamentary donations. This share has steadily increased in recent years. 6) Misconception: If you have no relatives, your assets automatically go to the state. Reality: This is true if there is no will and no relatives can be found. Those who plan ahead can decide for themselves with just a few sentences in their will what happens to their estate and, for example, invest in the future of needy children, young people, and families. 7) Misconception: People prefer to leave money to their descendants. Reality: For 72 percent of Germans, the most important thing is to pass on their values ​​and beliefs, followed by material goods such as money or real estate (61%), followed by practical knowledge and wisdom (53%). About the study: On behalf of SOS Children's Villages Worldwide, the social research institute forsa conducted a nationwide survey on the topic of legacy donations. In February 2025, a total of 1,608 randomly selected individuals aged 18 and over were surveyed as part of a representative online panel. About SOS Children's Villages Worldwide: SOS Children's Villages Worldwide is an independent, non-governmental, and interdenominational children's rights organization that has been supporting children and families in need for 75 years. Its mission is to provide safety and protection to abandoned and needy children—and to accompany them to a better future. Globally, orphaned and abandoned children find a new home in SOS Children's Villages and receive support in over 2,295 programs. The work of SOS Children's Villages reaches approximately 2.99 million people worldwide each year. Press contact: For further information, please contact: Boris Breyer, Press Officer, SOS Children's Villages Worldwide, Tel.: +49 160 984 723 45, Email: [email protected], www.sos-kinderdoerfer.de. Original content from: SOS Children's Villages Worldwide, Hermann Gmeiner Fund Germany eV, transmitted by news aktuell. Original report: https://www.presseportal.de/pm/1658/6073492