Short$-$term price fluctuations cause the value of an investment to go up and down. This is why some client situations are not well suited for placing their funds at risk. Even though a client may be risk averse, he may still need to achieve earnings above that of fixed income alternatives. Which one of the following annuities best addresses this situation?

A$)$ Choose an equity$-$indexed annuity, which guarantees that the cash values will never decline due to stock market price changes.

B$)$ Opt for a variable annuity, which offers a return of premium death benefit guarantee.

C$)$ Select a fixed annuity that offers a guarantee of earnings in excess of inflation.

D$)$ Purchase a single$-$premium immediate annuity based on the latest mortality tables and interest rate assumptions.