CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY

Gift transaction in which an individual transfers his assets to a charity in exchange for a tax benefit and lifetime annuity. Like any lifetime annuity, payments are stopped once the beneficiary passes away, and the charity keeps the remaining funds. In a normal charitable gift annuity, payouts are not limited to the contributed assets. But the computations establishing payout amounts usually allocate a large residual amount should the beneficiary die.