For example, if you invest in an ordinary annuity, you might make annual payments of $1,000 at the end of each year for 20 years into the annuity. The annuity earns a certain percentage of interest, compounded annually, and you receive the sum of the payments plus interest at the end of the annuity term.
During the financial planning meeting, the advisor explained how an ordinary annuity could be a reliable source of income during retirement, as it provides consistent payments at the end of each period.