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The Global Insight

How can you tell the difference between an ordinary annuity and an annuity due?

Author

James Olson

Updated on February 10, 2026

Annuity due is an annuity whose payment is due immediately at the beginning of each period. Annuity due can be contrasted with an ordinary annuity where payments are made at the end of each period. A common example of an annuity due payment is rent paid at the beginning of each month.

Is an ordinary annuity worth more than an annuity due?

Differences in present value Since payments are made sooner with an annuity due than with an ordinary annuity, an annuity due typically has a higher present value than an ordinary annuity. When interest rates go up, the value of an ordinary annuity goes down.

What is the future value of an annuity due?

An annuity due is a series of payments made at the beginning of each period in the series. Therefore, the formula for the future value of an annuity due refers to the value on a specific future date of a series of periodic payments, where each payment is made at the beginning of a period.

How do you calculate the future value of an ordinary annuity and an annuity due?

The future value of an annuity is simply the sum of the future value of each payment. The equation for the future value of an annuity due is the sum of the geometric sequence: FVAD = A(1 + r)1 + A(1 + r)2 + + A(1 + r)n.

What is ordinary annuity example?

Examples of ordinary annuities are interest payments from bonds, which are generally made semiannually, and quarterly dividends from a stock that has maintained stable payout levels for years. The present value of an ordinary annuity is largely dependent on the prevailing interest rate.

What is annuity discuss with an example?

An annuity is a series of payments made at equal intervals. Examples of annuities are regular deposits to a savings account, monthly home mortgage payments, monthly insurance payments and pension payments. Annuities can be classified by the frequency of payment dates.

How do you convert an ordinary annuity to an annuity due?

An annuity due is calculated in reference to an ordinary annuity. In other words, to calculate either the present value (PV) or future value (FV) of an annuity-due, we simply calculate the value of the comparable ordinary annuity and multiply the result by a factor of (1 + i) as shown below…

What is the difference between an annuity due and an ordinary annuity?

Differences in present value. Since payments are made sooner with an annuity due than with an ordinary annuity, an annuity due typically has a higher present value than an ordinary annuity.

How is the present value of an ordinary annuity calculated?

It is also known as annuity regular or deferred annuity. In general, ordinary annuity payment is made on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. The present value of the ordinary annuity is computed as of one period prior to the first cash flow, and the future value is computed as of the last cash flow.

Why does the value of an annuity go up?

On the other hand, when interest rates fall, the value of an ordinary annuity goes up. This is due to the concept known as the time value of money, which states that money available today is worth more than the same amount in the future because it has the potential to generate a return and grow.

What’s the difference between an annuity and a contract?

An annuitydescribes a contract between a policyholder and an insurance company. With this contract, policyholders give the insurance company a lump-sum payment in exchange for a series of payments made instantly or at a set time in the future. There are different types of annuities that people should both know about and understand.