What is a "growing annuity"?

A growing annuity is characterized by its fixed payments that increase at a constant rate over time. This means that the amount of money received from the annuity increases each period, which can be ideal for individuals planning for retirement as it helps combat the effects of inflation.

The structure of a growing annuity provides a steady stream of income that starts at a specified initial amount and increases at a predetermined growth rate over a certain number of periods. This can be particularly attractive for retirees who wish to ensure that their purchasing power remains stable throughout their retirement years, as the payments adjust to reflect rising costs of living.

The other options do not accurately depict the concept of a growing annuity. A one-time payout does not offer the sustained income stream that a growing annuity provides, while a decreasing value scenario contradicts the nature of "growth." Lastly, an annuity that varies based on market performance does not guarantee fixed increases and introduces uncertainty, differentiating it from the consistent growth characteristic of a growing annuity.