what is the difference between an ordinary annuity and an annuity due 
an ordinary annuity generates payments at the end of the annuity period while an annuity due is an annuity with the payment expected or paid at the start of the payment period can a lottery winner use an annuity table a lottery winner could use an annuity table to determine whether it makes more financial sense to take their lottery winnings as a lump sum payment today or as a series of payments over many years however lottery winnings are a rare form of an annuity more commonly annuities are a type of investment used to provide individuals with a steady income in retirement the bottom linean annuity table is a tool used mostly by accounting insurance or other financial professionals to determine the present value of an annuity it takes into account the amount of money that has been placed in the annuity and how long it s been sitting there so as to decide the amount of money that should be paid out to an annuity buyer or annuitant 