Grantor retained unitrust guide
A grantor retained unitrust, or GRUT, is reviewed when a grantor wants to keep a payout that changes with the value of the trust property during the retained term. Like a GRAT, it is an advanced retained-interest trust, but the payout design is different because the amount changes as the trust value changes.
Last reviewed: March 9, 2026
Reviewed against: trust and estate planning references listed on the sources page.
Publisher: Larry Trustee AI Editorial Team | hello@larrytrustee.ai
How a GRUT is usually structured
The grantor transfers assets into the trust and keeps a unitrust payout calculated from trust value instead of a fixed annuity number. Because the payout changes with valuation, the structure is often reviewed for assets where variable value may matter to the planning decision.
Why people compare GRUTs with other retained-interest trusts
- To compare a variable unitrust payout with the fixed-annuity design of a GRAT.
- To decide whether the asset type is a better match for a unitrust format.
- To review how retained-interest planning fits the broader transfer strategy.
- To compare advanced valuation issues across several tax-oriented trust structures.
What should be reviewed before using one
- Whether the assets are suitable for a value-based payout design.
- Whether the retained term and unitrust percentage fit the planning goal.
- Whether the valuation process is practical over time.
- Whether a GRUT or GRAT is the better fit for the family and tax strategy.