what is an ordinary annuity 
an ordinary annuity is a series of equal payments made at the end of consecutive periods over a fixed length of time ordinary annuities may be paid monthly quarterly semi annually or annually the opposite of an ordinary annuity is an annuity due in which payments are made at the beginning of each period a rent payment is an annuity due a mortgage payment is an ordinary annuity neither an ordinary annuity nor an annuity due refers to the financial product known as an annuity though they are related 