Annuity Guys®

Annuity Rates, Features & Ratings: America's trusted annuity resource. Compare best options for hybrid, index, fixed, variable & immediate annuity quotes.


Helping You Create Great Results Your Retirement Deserves!



(217)753-1515
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Site Terms & Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
  • FAQs
    • Most Frequently Asked Annuity Questions
  • All Annuity Guys Videos
  • Annuity Types
    • Best Annuity Reviews
    • Market Free™ Annuities
    • Choosing an Annuity
    • Deferred Annuities
    • Hybrid Annuity Choices
      • Hybrid Annuity Pros&Cons
      • Hybrid Income Riders
      • Hybrid Annuity Guarantees & Strategies
    • Fixed Annuity Choices
      • Fixed Annuity Performance
      • Better Fixed Annuities
      • Fixed Deferred Annuities
      • Fixed Rate Annuities
      • Fixed Annuity Alternatives
      • Fixed Annuity Pros & Cons
      • Fixed Annuity Negatives
    • Index Annuity Choices
      • Fixed Index Annuity Features
      • Fixed Index Annuity Performance
      • Better Fixed Index Annuities
      • Fixed Index Annuity Alternatives
      • Fixed Index Annuity Pros & Cons
      • Fixed Index Annuity History
      • Fixed Index Annuity Negatives
    • Immediate Annuities
      • Immediate Variable Annuity
      • Immediate Fixed Annuities
    • Variable Annuities
      • Variable Annuity Features
      • Better Variable Annuities
      • Variable Annuities Disadvantages
      • Variable Annuity Alternatives
      • Variable Annuity Negatives
      • Variable Annuity Performance
    • Pre-Issued Annuities™
      • Hybrid Annuities versus Pre-Issued Annuities ™
    • Annuity Glossary
  • Articles
    • How Do MarketFree™ Annuities Work?
    • Are Annuities Safe?
    • Living Benefits
    • FIA Performance
    • Beware of FIAs?
    • Annuities & Retirement
    • Annuities & Estate Tax
    • Rollovers & Annuities
    • Annuities & Tax
    • Charity & Annuities
    • The Lost Decade
    • Best Annuity Videos
    • Social Security Benefits
  • Calculators
    • Retirement Planning Calculator — Basic
    • Retirement Shortfall Calculator — Basic
    • Immediate Annuity Calculator & Quotes
    • Fixed Index Annuity Calculator & Fixed Annuity Calculator
    • Variable Annuity Calculator & Hybrid Annuity Calculator
  • Blog
    • Annuity Guys® Weekly Annuity Video Blogs
  • Get Annuity Guys Help
    • Request Annuity Guys’ Planning Help Today
You are here: Home / Articles / Charity & Annuities

Charity & Annuities

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS…

May utilize annuities and life insurance to kill several birds with one stone!

In planning for your retirement, you may face several financial issues. Maybe you’d like to generate retirement income, but don’t want to pay capital gains tax on investments you’ve held for several years. Perhaps you’d like to minimize your income taxes during retirement. You also might like to reduce the size of your taxable estate so more of your money goes to your heirs. Finally, you may wish to create a legacy or support a cause, church or charity that is close to your heart.

A Charitable Remainder Trust may help you realize all these objectives.

**Guarantees, including optional benefits, are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuer, and may contain limitations, including surrender charges, which may affect policy values. During this segment, Dick and Eric are referring to Fixed Annuities unless otherwise specified.

Review 3-Best Retirement Annuities for Your
GROWTH, INCOME & SAFETY!

 
How does a Charitable Remainder Trust work?

A CRT is a tax-exempt irrevocable trust. You can transfer cash and highly appreciated assets to the trust, and in return, you may arrange to receive income for life (this is where an annuity typically comes into play) or a specified stretch of time (not to exceed 20 years). Income may potentially be paid out of the CRT not only during your lifetime, but also over the lifetimes of your heirs. Eventually, a percentage of the assets in the CRT go to charities or non-profits of your choice.1

In brief, the Charitable Remainder Trust gives you a chance to:

  • Gain a current income tax deduction
  • Avoid estate taxes on the gifted assets
  • Create an income stream
  • Achieve tax-free compounding of assets (until withdrawn from the Charitable Remainder Trust)
  • Sell assets with a low cost basis without incurring capital gains taxes2

The transfer of assets to a Charitable Remainder Trust qualifies as a charitable contribution, thereby allowing you to take an income tax deduction based upon the estimated present value of the remainder interest that will eventually go to charity.2

As a CRT is an irrevocable trust, assets transferred into it are no longer included in your taxable estate – though you do retain an interest in the gift or transfer.3

Most charities prefer to offer an annuity that is issued based on their ability to pay; however, it is much more secure to insist upon a highly rated commercial insurance carrier to back your future income. Commercial issuers are highly regulated and participate in the SIGA (State Insurance Guarantee Association). Typically fixed deferred or immediate annuities are the best choice to assure the success of the Charitable Remainder Trust.

A Charitable Remainder Trust does have some disadvantages.
The word to keep in mind here is “irrevocable.” When you set up a Charitable Remainder Trust, you are signaling to the Internal Revenue Service that those assets will have one of two destinies. Either they will go to your heirs and charity when you die, or you will withdraw them before you die and pay the resulting taxes on the withdrawal. In the meantime, you need to make sure that you have enough money outside the trust to provide for any needs you may have.

A second disadvantage in using a CRT is that the income tax deduction for charitable giving does have limits. These limits may prevent the entire amount from being used to lower your income tax.

What about your heirs?

On the surface, a CRT would seem to present a family with one huge disadvantage. After all, it tells the IRS that you plan to leave a bunch of your money to charity – and that money is also removed from your estate.

So the question naturally comes up: “If I do this, am I going to disinherit my kids?”

There’s a way around that.

A good Charitable Remainder Trust strategy actually involves two trusts. Besides the Charitable Remainder Trust, you can set up a parallel wealth replacement trust funded with life insurance.

Through this irrevocable life insurance trust, your heirs may receive a proper inheritance. The wealth replacement trust is ideally administered so that its death benefit is at least equal to the value of the gifted assets. So when you pass away, the Charitable Remainder Trust transfers its assets to charities and your heirs receive tax-free life insurance proceeds.3, 4

To use life insurance, however, you’ll need to be insurable. Furthermore, you’ll want to make sure the benefits of the Charitable Remainder Trust outweigh the costs of the life insurance premiums.

These are the views of AnnuityGuys.com, which does not give tax or legal advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If other expert assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent planner/educator professional. Please consult a financial advisor for further information.

Citations

  1. charitableremaindertrust.com/faq.html [4/28/10]
  2. ca-trusts.com/crt.html [4/28/10]
  3. library.findlaw.com/1997/Dec/1/128372.html [12/1/97]
346
SHARES
ShareTweetGoogleLinkedinPinterestSkypeStumbleuponTumblrDeliciousDiggRedditMail

  • Top Five Reasons, Not to Buy an Annuity!

    Top Five Reasons, Not to Buy an Annuity!

    Let’s be honest, there are plenty of reason why someone should not buy an annuity. As Annuity Guys, we understand …Read More »
  • Annuities, Investing and Retirement – What’s Your Strategy?

    Annuities, Investing and Retirement – What’s Your Strategy?

    A goal without a plan is mostly just a hope and a wish. So, do you have a well thought …Read More »
  • Hybrid Annuity Sales Hit All Time Highs! Do You Know Why?

    Hybrid Annuity Sales Hit All Time Highs! Do You Know Why?

    Record numbers of retirees and savers are flocking to fixed and fixed index annuities – why?For many baby boomers , the great …Read More »

Revealing Fun Video: Fiduciary Advisors Vs. Annuity Salesmen
MUST KNOW FACTS 90% of
ANNUITY ADVISORS AVOID TELLING!
  • *FIDUCIARY RETIREMENT REVIEWS
    Second Opinions Improve Retirements
     
    "For Your Retirement's Success"
     Choose a *Fiduciary Advisor who gives you Full Disclosure of Cost & Selection.
     
    Material Fact 1:
      About 90% of advisors ARE NOT REQUIRED by law to do what is best for their clients!
     
    Material Fact 2:
     Fiduciary Advisors ARE REQUIRED by law to do what's best for their clients! 
     
      Hence, clients of a fiduciary can know that their advisor chose the highest legal standard required by law to work strictly for their highest good.
     
     We estimate Fiduciaries are less than 10% of total U.S. financial service providers. Fiduciaries are held to the highest client legal standard of financial planning and investment advice.
     
     The other 90% are sales oriented advisors, brokers, bank reps, registered reps. & insurance agents, selling products on a much lower suitability legal standard, not necessarily what's best for their client!
     
       Fiduciaries also must disclose conflicts of interest that could potentially bias their advice, such as; selling products that pay them higher commissions having higher fees or costs, and their lack of investment product access limiting their client's opportunities, to name a few.
     
    Choosing your advisor can have
    "The Largest Single Impact on
    Your Retirement's Success or Failure"


  • Why are Annuities an Excellent Alternative Asset Class?

    Why are Annuities an Excellent Alternative Asset Class?

    What goes up but does not come down? No, this is not the start of some riddle to be answered …Read More »
  • Can Index Annuities be a Good Hedge Against Inflation?

    Can Index Annuities be a Good Hedge Against Inflation?

    Are our Golden Years in danger, with the new high inflation issues that may be here to stay? The years …Read More »
  • Never Place an IRA in an Annuity? Wrong!

    Never Place an IRA in an Annuity? Wrong!

    One question that seems to come up on a regular basis is “should I use my IRA/401k dollars to purchase …Read More »
  • Avoiding Annuity Income Rider Abuse!

    Avoiding Annuity Income Rider Abuse!

    If they tell you that your annuity has a "6%" guarantee most annuity purchasers believe that the 6% guarantee is …Read More »
  • Are Hybrid Annuity Income Riders Stacked in Your Favor?

    Are Hybrid Annuity Income Riders Stacked in Your Favor?

    We must own up to our play on words this week. One of the more recent popular income riders strategies …Read More »
  • Can Annuities Help Retirees Transition from Saving to Spending?

    Can Annuities Help Retirees Transition from Saving to Spending?

    Mom used to talk about knowing the difference between “a want” and “a need” when I was younger. As my …Read More »
  • Annuity Income Riders

    Annuity Income Riders

    What makes a newer hybrid style income annuity different from the industry standard, immediate income annuity? It’s the income rider!Everyone …Read More »
  • Sell in May and Go Away or Buy Annuities?

    Sell in May and Go Away or Buy Annuities?

    Life is full of profound statements and sayings that stick in our minds. For investors and brokers, the saying “sell …Read More »

View Our Newest Videos! Subscribe Now
  • Annuity Guys Videos - Annuity Answers
  • New Annuity Guys Videos
    Our Entertaining & Informative
     Saturday Morning Video Blog
  • Timely Retirement & Annuity Issues - Easy Opt Out
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.


  • What’s Your Best Retirement Income Strategy?

    What’s Your Best Retirement Income Strategy?

    Retirement encompasses many joys, fears, and unknowns. One of the biggest fears according to our field observations is running out …Read More »
  • Hybrid Annuities as an Inflation Hedge

    Hybrid Annuities as an Inflation Hedge

    Inflation – this one word strikes terror in the hearts of many retirees on a fixed income.Never to fear, we have a cost of …Read More »
  • Annuities, Investing and Retirement – What’s Your Strategy?

    Annuities, Investing and Retirement – What’s Your Strategy?

    A goal without a plan is mostly just a hope and a wish. So, do you have a well thought …Read More »
  • Sell in May and Go Away or Buy Annuities?

    Sell in May and Go Away or Buy Annuities?

    Life is full of profound statements and sayings that stick in our minds. For investors and brokers, the saying “sell …Read More »
  • Are MarketFree® Hybrid Annuities Good for Retirement?

    Are MarketFree® Hybrid Annuities Good for Retirement?

    What would the perfect retirement financial vehicle look like if we could design it from the ground up?Would it allow for stock index …Read More »
  • Can Annuities Reduce the Cost of Retirement?

    Can Annuities Reduce the Cost of Retirement?

    Would you rather get something on sale or pay the full retail price? Silly question, right? Nobody wants to pay more …Read More »
  • Annuity Income Riders

    Annuity Income Riders

    What makes a newer hybrid style income annuity different from the industry standard, immediate income annuity? It’s the income rider!Everyone …Read More »
  • Will a Collapsed Dollar Harm Annuities?

    Will a Collapsed Dollar Harm Annuities?

    Jack in CA asks; If the dollar goes into a nose-dive,  how safe will it be to own an immediate, fixed or …Read More »
Get Newly Released Annuity Guys® Videos on Saturday Mornings
  • Annuity Guys Videos - Annuity Answers
  • New Annuity Guys Videos
    Our Entertaining & Informative
     Saturday Morning Video Blog
  • Timely Retirement & Annuity Issues - Easy Opt Out
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.


  • Who Should Not Buy Annuities?

    Who Should Not Buy Annuities?

    Are You One of These Five Profiles who probably should NOT buy an annuity?Are you an Aggressive Investor with an Appetite …Read More »
  • Beware of Best Annuity Claims (also known as) Sales Hype!

    Beware of Best Annuity Claims (also known as) Sales Hype!

     When you begin research on annuities via the internet it does not take long before you realize that most salespeople, …Read More »
  • Can a Hybrid Annuity Uncapped Index Pay Higher Interest?

    Can a Hybrid Annuity Uncapped Index Pay Higher Interest?

    Should annuity buyers be giddy because they can own an annuity with no limiting upside cap and of market loss? Well, maybe, …Read More »
  • Are Annuities the Best Answer to High Retirement Costs?

    Are Annuities the Best Answer to High Retirement Costs?

    The closer you are to retiring, the easier it is predicting how much income you will need in retirement to be comfortable and enjoy the …Read More »
  • Are Annuities Best in a Difficult Economy?

    Are Annuities Best in a Difficult Economy?

    Dick and Eric reflect on a email they received this week highlighting a Tony Robbins video (see below) on the …Read More »
  • New Social Security Cuts are Effective NOW

    New Social Security Cuts are Effective NOW

    Last week, we had no idea that congress and the president would act so quickly on such an important issue!Social Security …Read More »
  • How do you Choose the Best in Class Annuity?

    How do you Choose the Best in Class Annuity?

    The latest issue of Barron’s proclaims to know and list the Top 50 Annuities. Being the Annuity Guys® that we are, …Read More »
  • When is Zero Good News for Hybrid Annuities?

    When is Zero Good News for Hybrid Annuities?

    Have you called someone a “good-for-nothing” and thought you were being derogatory?With hybrid annuities, being good for nothing in the bad …Read More »
  • Do I need an annuity with or without a pension?

    Do I need an annuity with or without a pension?

    If you are asking this question rest assured you are in good company. Today’s retirement landscape is the result of …Read More »
  • Annuity Income Riders

    Annuity Income Riders

    What makes a newer hybrid style income annuity different from the industry standard, immediate income annuity? It’s the income rider!Everyone …Read More »

 

Empowering Annuity Reference Book

 
Start Reading Now - Instant Download
  • Annuity Guys Reference Book - 250 pages of Annuity Facts

  • "The New Retirement"
    Annuity Reference Book 
    Free Instant Download
  • Confidential - Easy Opt Out
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

 
Comprehensive Site Terms and Disclosure | Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2025 Annuity Guys®


  ** Guarantees, including optional benefits, are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuer, and may contain limitations, including surrender charges, which may affect policy values. Annuities are not FDIC insured and it is possible to lose money.
Annuities are insurance products that require a premium to be paid for purchase.
Annuities do not accept or receive deposits and are not to be confused with bank issued financial instruments.
During all video segments, Dick and Eric are referring to Fixed Annuities unless otherwise specified.


  *Retirement Planning and annuity purchase assistance may be provided by Eric Judy or by referral to a recommended, experienced, Fiduciary Investment Advisor in helping Annuity Guys website visitors. Dick Van Dyke semi-retired from his Investment Advisory Practice in 2012 and now focuses on this educational Annuity Guys Website. He still maintains his insurance license in good standing and assists his current clients.
Annuity Guys' vetted and recommended Fiduciary Financial Planners are required to be properly licensed in assisting clients with their annuity and retirement planning needs. (Due diligence as a client is still always necessary when working with any advisor to check their current standing.)



  # Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of a variable annuity and its underlying investment options. The current prospectus and underlying prospectuses, which are contained in the same document, provide this and other important information. Please contact an Investment Professional or the issuing Company to obtain the prospectuses. Please read the prospectuses carefully before investing or sending money.


  ^ Investors should consider investment objectives, risk, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. This and other important information is contained in the fund prospectuses and summary prospectuses, which can be obtained from a financial professional and should be read carefully before investing.


  ^ Eric Judy offers advisory services through Client One Securities, LLC an Investment Advisor. Annuity Guys Ltd. and Client One Securities, LLC are not affiliated.


346 SHARES