A West Virginia Granter Retained Annuity Trust (GREAT) is a specialized estate planning tool that allows individuals in West Virginia to transfer assets into a trust while retaining an income stream for a specified period. This type of trust can offer significant tax benefits and help individuals efficiently transfer wealth to future generations. Keywords: West Virginia, Granter Retained Annuity Trust, GREAT, estate planning, assets, income stream, tax benefits, transfer wealth, future generations. There are two main types of Granter Retained Annuity Trust commonly used in West Virginia: 1. Granter Retained Annuity Trust with a Fixed Annuity Payment: In this type of GREAT, the granter establishes the trust and transfers assets into it. The granter then receives a fixed annuity payment from the trust annually for a predetermined number of years. At the end of the trust term, any remaining assets in the trust pass to the beneficiaries, often family members or loved ones, free of gift and estate taxes. 2. Granter Retained Annuity Trust with a Zeroed-Out Gift: In this variant, the granter transfers assets into the GREAT and receives annuity payments, similar to the fixed annuity payment GREAT. However, the annuity payments are intentionally set to equal the value of the assets transferred into the trust, effectively "zeroing-out" the gift for tax purposes. The primary benefit of this type of GREAT is to minimize or eliminate the gift tax liability while still enabling the transfer of appreciating assets to future generations. Both types of West Virginia Granter Retained Annuity Trusts offer advantages for individuals looking to preserve wealth, minimize tax liabilities, and establish a structured income stream. By strategically planning the annuity payments and term length, individuals can tailor the GREAT to meet their specific objectives and efficiently transfer assets to beneficiaries. It is crucial to seek professional guidance from estate planning attorneys or financial advisors experienced in Grants to ensure compliance with West Virginia laws and optimize the benefits of this powerful estate planning tool.