The annuitant is the person whose life expectancy is used to determine the amount, timing, or duration of annuity payments. The annuitant is not necessarily the contract owner or the beneficiary. In many personally owned annuities, one person may occupy more than one role, but examination questions frequently separate them. The owner controls contractual rights, including premium payments, beneficiary changes, withdrawals when permitted, and surrender decisions. The annuitant is the measuring life. The beneficiary receives remaining contract value or death proceeds if the owner or annuitant dies, depending on the contract design.

During the accumulation period, the owner pays premiums or transfers funds into the annuity. During the annuitization period, the accumulated value is converted into a stream of income payments. The annuitant’s age and selected payout option influence the payment calculation. A life-income option normally provides larger periodic payments for an older annuitant because the expected payment period is shorter.

Do not confuse the annuitant with the insured under life insurance. Life insurance is designed primarily to create a death benefit upon the insured’s death. An annuity is designed primarily to provide income during life, although death-benefit provisions may apply before annuitization.

References/topics from the Study Guide: Annuities; Parties to an Annuity; Accumulation Period; Annuitization Period; Payout Options.

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