A look at how retirees can use charitable giving to lower taxes, create retirement income, and pass more wealth to their heirs.

• Baby boomers moving into retirement are asking bigger questions than just investment returns — how to fund retirement, care for family, and support causes they believe in.
• Charitable planning done strategically can create income, cut taxes, strengthen an estate plan, and sometimes leave heirs more money, not less.
• Options include giving from an IRA, donating appreciated stock, or setting up a charitable gift annuity or remainder trust.
• The biggest opportunity is real estate — retirees holding investment properties with large gains and low cost basis can use those assets to fund retirement, diversify, and give, all at once.
• Tax law changes mean inherited assets like IRAs can hit heirs with heavy tax bills, pushing families to plan ahead.

Outlook: Expect more retirees to fold charitable giving into their estate plans as a way to manage taxes and pass on wealth.