Which type of annuity guarantees a stated number of income payments, whether or not the annuitant is still alive to receive them?

The type of annuity that guarantees a stated number of income payments, regardless of whether the annuitant is alive to receive them, is a life annuity certain. This arrangement combines elements of both a life annuity and a certain period of guaranteed payments. Essentially, the structure ensures that even if the annuitant passes away before the end of the guaranteed period, the remaining payments will still be made to a designated beneficiary or paid out in a lump sum.

This characteristic makes a life annuity certain particularly appealing for those who want assurance that their investment will yield a return in the form of payments, regardless of the timing of their death. It provides a level of security for both the annuitant and their beneficiaries, ensuring that the funds are not lost if the annuitant does not live to receive all the payments.

In contrast, the other options do not provide the same guarantee of payments over a specified period irrespective of the annuitant's lifespan, which is the key defining feature of a life annuity certain.