Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust

A charitable remainder annuity trust will provide a fixed payment to you and/or your loved ones for life or for a specific number of years. The size of the payment is determined at the time the gift is made. Donors seeking a higher payout will receive a lower current tax deduction and vice versa (within certain limits). Duke establishes annuity trusts in amounts of $100,000 and greater.

Some sample rates as of July 1, 2008
Two Beneficiaries One Beneficiary
Your Ages Payout Rate Deduction on $100,000 gift Your Age Payout Rate Deduction on $100,000 gift
65/62 5.0% $24,078 65 5.3% $37,147
70/68 5.5% $27,465 70 5.8% $41,325
75/70 5.8% $30,707 75 6.5% $45,439
80/75 6.4% $35,821 80 7.5% $49,691
80/80 7.0% $37,386 85 8.8% $54,382
85/80 7.3% $40,744 87 9.5% $56,075

If you are interested in making a gift that yields a fixed income, Duke's Office of Gift Planning can help you determine whether a charitable remainder annuity trust or a charitable gift annuity is a better fit for your particular situation. In general, a charitable remainder annuity trust may provide a more favorable tax treatment than a gift annuity if you are using highly appreciated assets.

When you establish an annuity trust, you get to decide how the remaining trust assets will ultimately be used at Duke. You receive an immediate income tax deduction for a portion of the gift, and this deduction can be spread over as many as six consecutive tax years. If your gift is funded with appreciated assets, you can also reduce your capital gains liability.

Charitable remainder annuity trusts may be invested with Duke's endowment assets; however, the payout amount remains fixed. An annuity trust is backed by all of the trust's assets.

Example:

Mr. White owns appreciated securities that originally cost him $30,000 and are now worth $100,000. He donates these securities to Duke to fund a charitable remainder annuity trust, naming his wife, age 65, as the lifetime beneficiary. The trust agreement provides for annual payments to Mrs. White of 5.3% ($5,300/year) of the initial trust principal for life. Mr. White qualifies for an income tax deduction of over $37,000. Additionally, he avoids the tax on the $70,000 in appreciation that would have resulted had he sold the securities. At Mrs. White's death, the trust principal will pass to Duke for the purpose designated by Mr. White (e.g. scholarships).
Note: In similar cases, a charitable gift annuity may provide a higher payment.

Leave Behind a Legacy

Duke's Office of Gift Planning is glad to work with you to identify the school, area, or program that is most meaningful to you. If your gift meets certain minimum funding levels, you can establish a named endowment fund, such as a scholarship, fellowship, professorship, or research fund. Endowment gifts serve as permanent, renewable sources of funding for the university. Learn more.

Office of Gift Planning
2127 Campus Drive, Box 90600
Durham, NC 27708
Phone: (919) 681-0464
Fax: (919) 684-9731

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