Annuities frequently provide greater cash flow than fixed payment investments.
However, rates depend on the age of the beneficiary. With appreciated property, tax on the gain is reduced. In a unitrust, however, the amount paid to the beneficiaries will vary on a yearly basis according to the annual reevaluation of the trust principal. You may specify whether you want an immediate annuity, with payment to begin not later than one year from the date of the gift, or a deferred gift annuity, from which payments are not to begin until a specified future date. In addition, the income stream from such an arrangement can be higher than current market rates.