A lot of retirees use annuities to simplify their income stream in retirement but that doesn’t mean annuities are simple. Beyond choosing what kind of annuity to purchase – immediate vs. deferred and fixed, indexed or variable, you’ll also need to consider how to receive your annuity payments. You can receive a lump sum from your annuity, a life option that pays over your lifetime and, if you choose, a spouse, other survivors or an estate, or a systematic stream of fixed payments that you receive annually ...