After his initial book on the subject in 2003, private annuity trusts became increasingly popular with financial and real estate advisors.

Specialized companies sprang up across the US marketing private annuity trusts to the general public sometimes misrepresenting the benefits or applying the strategy inappropriately.

A common such vehicle is called the grantor retained annuity trust (GRAT).

Payments may be fixed amount, annuity trust, or a percentage of principle, which is called unitrust.

From 1994 to 1997, the number of annuity trusts grew more than 25 percent, to 20,424, while their assets grew 86 percent, to $8.4 billion.

In one form, an annuity trust, the payout is a set percent of the trust's original value.

More commonly referred to as a charitable remainder trust, an annuity trust or a unitrust, the concept allows charities and donors to work as partners.

(US only) (historical) Private annuity trust - No longer a valid tax deferral tool.

The first, called an annuity trust, provides a fixed amount of income each year.

There are two types of charitable remainder trusts - annuity trusts and unitrusts.