Many assets provide a series of cash inflows over time; and many obligations require a series of payments. When the payments are equal and are made at fixed intervals, the series is an annuity. There are three types of annuities: (1) Ordinary (deferred) annuity, (2) Annuity due, and (3) Growing annuity. One can find an annuity's future and present values, the interest rate built into annuity contracts, and the length of time it takes to reach a financial goal using an annuity. Growing annuities are often used in the area of financial planning. Their analysis is more complex and often easier solved using a financial spreadsheet, so we will limit our discussion here to the first two types of annuities.

The future value of an ordinary annuity, FVA_N, is the total amount one would have at the end of the annuity period if each payment (PMT) were invested at a given interest rate and held to the end of the annuity period. The equation is:

 

Each payment of an annuity due is compounded for one -Select-less additional Correct 1 of Item 1 period, so the future value of an annuity due is equal to the future value of an ordinary annuity compounded for one -Select-less additional Correct 2 of Item 1 period. The equation is:

 

The present value of an ordinary annuity, PVA_N, is the value today that would be equivalent to the annuity payments (PMT) received at fixed intervals over the annuity period. The equation is:

Each payment of an annuity due is discounted for one -Select-less additional Correct 3 of Item 1 period, so the present value of an annuity due is equal to the present value of an ordinary annuity multiplied by (1 + I). The equation is:

One can solve for payments (PMT), periods (N), and interest rates (I) for annuities. The easiest way to solve for these variables is with a financial calculator or a spreadsheet.

Quantitative Problem 1: You plan to deposit $2,500 per year for 4 years into a money market account with an annual return of 3%. You plan to make your first deposit one year from today.

1. What amount will be in your account at the end of 4 years?

   
   

    
   1. Assume that your deposits will begin today. What amount will be in your account after 4 years?

2. Quantitative Problem 2: You and your wife are making plans for retirement. You plan on living 30 years after you retire and would like to have $80,000 annually on which to live. Your first withdrawal will be made one year after you retire and you anticipate that your retirement account will earn 10% annually.

   1. What amount do you need in your retirement account the day you retire? Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answer to the nearest cent.

3. 
   

   1. Assume that your first withdrawal will be made the day you retire. Under this assumption, what amount do you now need in your retirement account the day you retire? Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answer to the nearest cent.

4. 
   

   • 
     

5.