DeSantis & Daughter offers a defined benefit plan. On the day you retire, you are offered two options. Option one is to take a lump$-$sum distribution of $$855,000$ today or receive an annuity of $$62,500$ per year in equal monthly installments for $25$ years. The rate you believe you can earn on these funds is $5\mathrm{.}45\%.$ To maximize your value, you:

Question $1$ options:

take the lump sum distribution.

can choose either option as they have the same value.

take the $25-$year annuity.