What is a key characteristic of an individual straight life annuity?

An individual straight life annuity is designed to provide guaranteed income to the annuitant for the rest of their life. This means that as long as the annuitant is alive, they will receive regular payments, which ceases only upon their death. This structure offers a high level of security and peace of mind, as it assures the annuitant of receiving income for an indefinite duration, mitigating the risk of outliving their savings.

Focusing on this characteristic highlights the core purpose of a straight life annuity, which is to provide lifelong income, distinguishing it from other annuity types or payment structures that may have time limits or variations based on external factors. Understanding this feature is crucial for annuitants seeking stable retirement income.