What Happens To Annuities When You Die? 
An annuity is a contract . If the company is holding money for a deferred time , that money is subject to the beneficiary provisions in the annuity . As long as there is a living beneficiary or trust , the money will be paid to them . If there isnt a living beneficiary or trust to receive the money the proceeds will be included in the estate and distributed by will or law . If the annuity is paying benefits , the selected benefit will direct who would receive remaining or continued payments . 