(Money Magazine) -- Q: A variable annuity that I've owned for many years has risen a great deal in value. Can I gift it to my kids? -- Anthony Cupo, Fayetteville, Ind.
A: You can, and you won't owe gift taxes as long as the annuity's current market value doesn't put you over your lifetime gift-tax exclusion (currently $5 million).
But another tax trap can make this strategy unappealing, says University of Southern California tax law professor Edward McCaffery.
When you make a gift of a variable annuity, you'll owe income taxes on your entire investment gain.
Better to spread out that tax bite by taking small annual withdrawals and making cash gifts, says MetLife senior consultant Barry Rabinovich. 
| Overnight Avg Rate | Latest | Change | Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 yr fixed | 3.80% | 3.88% | |
| 15 yr fixed | 3.20% | 3.23% | |
| 5/1 ARM | 3.84% | 3.88% | |
| 30 yr refi | 3.82% | 3.93% | |
| 15 yr refi | 3.20% | 3.23% |
Today's featured rates:
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| Dow | 32,627.97 | -234.33 | -0.71% |
| Nasdaq | 13,215.24 | 99.07 | 0.76% |
| S&P 500 | 3,913.10 | -2.36 | -0.06% |
| Treasuries | 1.73 | 0.00 | 0.12% |
| Company | Price | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Motor Co | 8.29 | 0.05 | 0.61% |
| Advanced Micro Devic... | 54.59 | 0.70 | 1.30% |
| Cisco Systems Inc | 47.49 | -2.44 | -4.89% |
| General Electric Co | 13.00 | -0.16 | -1.22% |
| Kraft Heinz Co | 27.84 | -2.20 | -7.32% |
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