The Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust is an irrevocable gift providing the donor an income from the assets placed in trust for life. The gift is irrevocable; meaning the Foundation is guaranteed the future use of the principal. At the time of the donor's death any assets remaining in the trust will pass to the ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Foundation. Donors must be certain they have no future need of these assets prior to creating an irrevocable trust. The trustee is charged with paying the donor a fixed annual income equal to, as a minimum, 5 percent of the initial value of the assets placed in the trust. If the return on the investment in a given year is insufficient to cover the fixed annual payout, assets are drawn from the principal to cover the annual payment. Conversely if the return for a year is greater than the fixed annual payment the excess is reinvested in the trust.
There are many examples of how a charitable remainder annuity trust can be used to meet the needs of a donor. In all cases, donors should consult their attorney, accountant, or estate planner when considering gift giving.