TOPSHAM – The American Cancer Society estimates that less than 10 percent of Americans take advantage of the benefits of charitable estate planning. The biggest barriers are a lack of awareness and a misperception among individuals about their options.

To increase awareness of planned giving, the society has created a Web site, www.cancergiving.org, to help donors and professional advisers learn more.

The Web site provides detailed information in an interactive, user-friendly format and describes how individuals and families can benefit from life income gifts, gift annuities and other plans.

Features of the site include a legal library of recent IRS and tax court rulings to assist professional advisers, an online interactive gift calculator, print-on-demand brochures, updates on Social Security, Medicare and tax law changes, sample illustrations of proposed gift strategies and donor success stories highlighting how planned giving has enhanced their lives.

Visitors to the planned giving site can also subscribe to the Giftlaw, an e-newsletter featuring the latest news from Washington, tax law updates, case studies and articles for professional advisers.

“Planning for tomorrow is important at all stages of life,” said Steven Maughan, the American Cancer Society’s planned giving officer for Maine.

“Whether you are single, married, raising a family or preparing for retirement, your future and the future of those you care most about will reflect in the plans you make today.”

For more information about planned giving through the American Cancer Society, contact Maughan at 1-800-640-7101, ext. 136 (voice) or 1-866-228-4327 (TTY) or [email protected].