Typically, a minimum deposit is required, and often you have to pay a fee if the balance falls below that minimum. These accounts are considered low-risk. Annuities are financial contracts sold by insurance companies, usually to provide income for the future. Generally with an annuity, you make a single payment or series of payments into an account that earns a fixed or variable rate of return. Ordinary income taxes are usually due upon withdrawal.
Bonds are generally loans to corporations or governments.
You buy bonds at a fixed rate of interest for a fixed period of time. Interest can be paid periodically during the life of the debt or at maturity, depending upon the type of bond. At the end of that time, the issuer promises to repay the amount of the bond. The amount of risk is also related to the length of maturity of the bonds. Although there are no penalties for selling a bond before the end of its term, the value of the bond is subject to the current interest rate.