Definition: Annuity
Living conditions
A form of financial contract mostly sold by life insurance companies that guarantees a fixed or variable payment of income benefit (monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or yearly) for the life of a person(s) (the annuitant) or
for a specified period of time. It is different than a life insurance contract which provides income to the beneficiary after the death of the insured. An annuity may be bought through instalments or as a single lump sum. Benefits may start immediately or at a pre-defined time in the future or at a specific age.
Source:
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)/Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques (OCDE), OECD Glossaries/Glossaires de l'OCDE, Private pensions - OECD classification and glossary; Les pensions privées - Classification et glossaire de l'OCDE, Paris, 2005
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