Which statement accurately describes the nature of an annuity contract?

The selected type of annuity affects payment amounts because different types of annuities are structured to provide varying payment options based on their design. For instance, a fixed annuity guarantees a set payment amount over time, while a variable annuity's payments can fluctuate based on the performance of the underlying investments. The design of the annuity directly influences how payments are made, which can be either level, increasing, or based on the investment performance, among other factors. As a result, understanding the type of annuity chosen is crucial, as it will determine how much and how often payments are received.

In contrast, the fixed payment amounts pertain specifically to fixed annuities and do not apply universally across all types of annuities. The mention of tax benefits is more associated with both deferred and immediate annuities, as each has specific taxation rules, rather than being exclusive to deferred annuities alone. Finally, annuities can come in different forms including one-time payments (single premium payments) or a series of payments, so they are not limited to just being one-time transactions.