annuity

[uh-noo-i-tee, uh-nyoo-]

noun

plural

annuities 

1. a specified income payable at stated intervals for a fixed or a contingent period, often for the recipient's life, in consideration of a stipulated premium paid either in prior installment payments or in a single payment.

2. the right to receive such an income, or the duty to make such a payment or payments.

annuity

/ əˈnjuːɪtɪ /

noun

1. a fixed sum payable at specified intervals, esp annually, over a period, such as the recipient's life, or in perpetuity, in return for a premium paid either in instalments or in a single payment

2. the right to receive or the duty to pay such a sum

annuity

1. A sum of money payable yearly or at regular intervals.

Many people's retirement funds are set up to be paid in annuities.

Other Word Forms

• superannuity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of annuity¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Anglo-French annuité, annualté, from Medieval Latin annuitās, equivalent to Latin annu(us) “yearly,” derivative of annus “year” + -itās -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of annuity¹

C15: from French annuité, from Medieval Latin annuitās, from Latin annuus _annual

Example Sentences

“Social Security is the best annuity you can ‘buy,’” says Mark Iwry, who formerly oversaw national retirement policy at the Treasury Department.

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A single-premium immediate annuity sold by insurers and brokerage firms — where you hand over a lump of money and the company invests it — can also provide monthly lifetime income.

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At the same time, other advisers say that some people might not be able to keep their extravagant ways in check, making an annuity could be a safer option.

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Proceed carefully if you are considering an annuity.

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No threats, no bribes, no offers of annuities or gifts, no peace overtures could sway him from fighting for them, their land and their traditional way of life.

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Related Words

• amount 
• award 
• cash 
• deposit 
• disbursement 
• fee 
• outlay 
• pension 
• premium 
• refund 
• reimbursement 
• remittance 
• reparation 
• repayment www.thesaurus.com
• restitution 
• return 
• reward 
• royalty 
• salary 
• settlement