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A joint and survivor annuity is designed to provide income for two people, typically spouses, and payments continue until both annuitants have died. This feature makes it especially suitable for retirement planning when ongoing income is needed for a surviving spouse.

When the first annuitant dies, payments continue to the survivor, often at the same or a reduced level depending on the contract terms. Only after the second annuitant’s death do payments cease. Therefore, option A is correct.

Options B, C, and D incorrectly describe other annuity structures. Beneficiaries are generally relevant only if a refund or period-certain option applies. Joint and survivor annuities are a core topic in Virginia annuity education because of their longevity risk protection.

For an insurance policy to be legally binding, four essential elements must exist: (1) offer and acceptance, (2) consideration, (3) competent parties, and (4) legal purpose. Consideration refers to the exchange of value: the applicant’s premium and representations in the application, and the insurer’s promise to pay benefits. Exact extract: “Consideration is the value each party gives to the other: the insured provides premiums and truthful statements, while the insurer provides the promise of benefits.” Without consideration, a contract cannot be enforced.

The doctrine of reasonable expectations holds that insurance contracts will be interpreted as a reasonable person would expect, even if fine print suggests otherwise. Exact extract: “Under the principle of reasonable expectations, coverage is interpreted in line with what a prudent policyholder would believe was provided.” This prevents insurers from denying claims based on obscure or technical language.

Group term insurance can typically be converted to a permanent individual life insurance policy without the need for a medical exam or evidence of insurability. This option is especially valuable when an employee leaves a company or the group plan ends, as it allows them to retain coverage without having to go through underwriting.