In a private annuity trust, an owner transfers property to an irrevocable trust in exchange for a promise to make prescribed payments to the owner for his or her lifetime. The trust then sells the property to a third party, the proceeds of which are invested to provide the payments promised to the owner. On death, the remainder of the trust estate typically passes to the heirs of the property owner. The trustee must be someone other than the property owner.

A charitable trust is somewhat similar to a private annuity trust, except that the owner transfers property to an irrevocable trust of which one or more charitable organizations will be beneficiaries. The type of charitable trust most likely to be used is a charitable remainder trust, in which the owner retains an income interest for his or her lifetime. The property can be sold by the trustee and the proceeds invested to provide the payments to the owner. On death or after a specified term of years, the remainder of the trust estate passes to one or more designated charitable organizations. Unlike a private annuity trust, the trustee can be the property owner.