Theperiod certain annuity payout optionguarantees income payments for a specified period of time, such as 10, 15, or 20 years, regardless of whether the annuitant is alive. Under Pennsylvania annuity principles, if the annuitant dies before the end of the guaranteed period, payments continue to the named beneficiary for the remainder of that period.
This option differs from life income annuities, which pay only while the annuitant is alive, and joint and survivor options, which require two annuitants and continue payments until the second annuitant dies. Refund life options combine lifetime income with a guarantee that at least the premium paid will be returned, but they still depend on the annuitant’s lifetime.
Pennsylvania Life, Accident, and Health Insurance study materials emphasize that a period certain annuity does not guarantee income for life; instead, it guarantees income for a set period of time. Because payments are made whether or not the annuitant is alive during that period, option B is the correct and verified answer.
