Which type of annuity stops all payments upon the death of the annuitant?

A life annuity is specifically designed to provide payments to the annuitant for their lifetime. The defining characteristic of this type of annuity is that once the annuitant passes away, the payments cease entirely, regardless of how much time has passed since the annuity was purchased. This feature distinguishes it from other forms of financial products where payments might continue to beneficiaries or through other mechanisms.

In contrast, term annuities provide payments for a specified period, and if the annuitant dies before the term ends, the remaining payments typically go to beneficiaries. Fixed and variable annuities refer to how the investment within the annuity grows and pays out but do not inherently dictate payment cessation upon the annuitant's death in the same way that a life annuity does. Therefore, the life annuity is the correct choice as it directly aligns with the premise of payments ending upon the annuitant's death.