What Does Annuities Mean? 
Annuities are a method of receiving periodic payments over the course of years or for the rest of your life . You can put a lump sum into an annuity and get periodic payments right away -LRB- immediate annuity -RRB- or you can contribute to an annuity over a period of time and then collect the payments -LRB- deferred annuity -RRB- . 