Contingent annuity is a complex financial term that refers to a type of annuity that is dependent on certain conditions being met. The spelling of this term can be broken down using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /kənˈtɪndʒənt əˈnjuəti/. The first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, followed by a stressed syllable with the ‘t’ sound. The second word is pronounced with the ‘n’ and ‘j’ sounds, while the final syllable has a stress on the ‘a’ sound, followed by the ‘ti’ sound with a short ‘u’ sound.
A contingent annuity is a financial product that provides periodic payments to the policyholder during their lifetime, with the added condition that these payments may be adjusted based on certain contingencies. It is a type of annuity that offers a degree of flexibility and adaptability to changing circumstances.
A contingent annuity typically comes with a variety of contingent events or conditions that could potentially affect the payment amount received. These contingencies may include variables such as the performance of a specific investment, changes in interest rates, or fluctuations in market conditions. The annuity may stipulate that the payment amount is tied to the performance of a specific investment or a predefined market index, and adjustments are made accordingly.
The contingent nature of these annuities means that the payment amount can vary over time, depending on the occurrence of the specified contingencies. If the contingencies are favorable, the policyholder may receive higher payments, but if the contingencies are adverse, the payments may decrease.
The purpose of a contingent annuity is to provide policyholders with a certain level of protection against unfavorable contingencies, while still offering the potential for enhanced payments if the contingencies are favorable. This type of annuity can be particularly appealing to individuals who seek a balance between stability and potential growth in their retirement income.
One which is to terminate on the occurrence of some specified event, such as the marriage of the annuitant.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "contingent annuity" is derived from two separate words - "contingent" and "annuity".
1. Contingent: The word "contingent" originates from the Latin word "contingere", which means "to touch" or "to happen". In English, the term has evolved to mean "dependent on" or "conditional upon". It expresses something that may or may not happen depending on specific circumstances or conditions.
2. Annuity: The word "annuity" comes from the Latin "annus", meaning "year". An annuity is a financial arrangement in which a person receives fixed periodic payments over a specified period or for their lifetime.
When the terms "contingent" and "annuity" are combined, the phrase "contingent annuity" refers to a type of annuity that is dependent on specific conditions or events.