Business Glossary

annuity that makes payments for the lifetime of two or more beneficiaries, often a husband and wife. When one of the annuitants dies, payments continue to the survivor annuitant in the same amount or in a reduced amount as specified in the contract. ALso called joint life annuity.

series of equal periodic payments or receipts. Examples of an annuity are semiannual interest receipts from a bond investment and cash dividends from a preferred stock. There are two types of an annuity: (1) Ordinary annuity, where payments or receipts occur at the end of the period; (2) Annuity due, where payments or receipts are made at the beginning of the period.