Basics Of Annuities: How They Work, Types, Pros & Cons

This US News article provides a decent overview of annuities with a basic description of how they work, the different types of annuities and some pros and cons. It's a little weak in the review of the cons. For that I recommend articles from Allan Roth at CBS News:

• Annuity guarantees: How real are they?
• An inside view of annuity sales
• A viable variable annuity?