What is an 'Annuitant'. An annuitant is a person who collects the benefits of an annuity or pension. It is the person named in a specialized life insurance contract. The annuitant is the beneficiary of an annuity or pension. An annuitant can be the contract holder or another person. Proceeds of the annuity contract are provided to the beneficiary upon the annuitant's death to shield the beneficiary from a loss of income.