One popular technique in financial planning circles is to convert an IRA to a Roth IRA, so that the IRA participant will not have to pay income taxes on distributions from the Roth IRA in later years. However, the participant in a Roth IRA must typically pay substantial income taxes, since the IRA distribution (before it goes into the Roth) is taxable at ordinary income tax rates. One option is to offset taxes due on the conversion by simultaneously making a gift to a pooled income fund (PIF). Not only does this reduce taxes, but it provides cash flow for life to the income beneficiaries of the PIF while (very importantly) benefiting charity!

Entrepreneurs are six times as generous with their wealth as inheritors who have the same net worth. As a charitable gift planner, you get to see their strong preferences and unique opportunities. This article explains how to integrate succession planning and philanthropic planning; spot opportunities for implementing charitable gift planning to meet a business owner's needs; and recognize practical solutions and exceptions to the technical obstacles to get the gift done.

Last month, the Board of ACGA reviewed the assumptions underlying suggested annuity rates for CGAs as part of its ongoing monitoring of the industry and the economy. The organization supports maintaining the current assumed rate of return.

It is entirely possible and perfectly legal for an individual to transfer $5M, $10M, even $100M to family with no gift and estate tax. The individual could also become a philanthropist to a level never thought possible. The tool—charitable lead trusts. Despite this power, very few gift planners have actually closed a CLT. The reason is twofold: lack of understanding and lack of proper marketing. This article presents exciting new ways to think about CLTs, how to market them, and discuss the technical rules of CLTs as they relate to the new strategies.