Maryland Code, STATE PERSONNEL AND PENSIONS 30-207

Annuity: A periodic (usually annual) payment of a fixed sum of money for either the life of the recipient or for a fixed number of years. A series of payments under a contract from an insurance company, a trust company, or an individual. Annuity payments are made at regular intervals over a period of more than one full year.
state: means :

(1) a state, possession, territory, or commonwealth of the United States; or

(2) the District of Columbia. See

Benefits under the program:

(1) shall be payable to participating employees or their beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of the annuity contracts; and

(2) are not payable by the State or governing board of an employing institution.