One of several choices available to an annuitant for payment. If the joint and survivor option is selected, payments will continue past the owner’s death should his/her designated survivor beneficiary survive him/her. For example, if a joint and survivor annuity is selected, payments continue after the annuitant passes away if the designated survivor beneficiary is still alive. Depending on the type of joint and survivor option available and selected, the survivor payment may be the same or less as the payment made while both were alive. Compare to Life Annuity and Term Certain.