Roger Massey ’62 was looking for a way to secure an additional income stream to supplement his fixed income after retirement. The Charitable Gift Annuity gave him a tax deduction as well as guaranteed income for life.
“For me it’s a win-win situation,” Roger says. “WPI receives my gift and in return I receive a lifetime annuity income as well as an income tax gift deduction. Most importantly, I’m helping WPI carry on its mission of high quality engineering and science education.”
Roger carries a deep affection for WPI. “My loyalty to WPI goes deeper than the education I received.”
A fter earning honors during his freshman year, he struggled in his sophomore year and left WPI when he didn’t make the grade. Then, as the story so often goes, he met a girl—the girl who would later become his wife of 42 years and the mother of their four children. When they decided to marry, Roger explains, he knew he needed to finish his education. He explained his situation to the dean of admissions and students at the time, Dean Hollows, who welcomed Roger back, he notes, “with no strikes against me. Wow—I was so elated and thankful!”
Decades later, Roger had already planned to give back to WPI through a trust. After a friend suggested an annuity, Roger contacted WPI’s Office of Planned Giving and his accountant to look into it further. He became an Alden Society member in 2013 when he established his first annuity with WPI.
“Not only did I get a great engineering education, I was given a second chance. It enabled me to have a rewarding career in manufacturing. I will always be grateful and hope that my small contribution will help other young people have the opportunities that I have had.”