What does the term "deferred" commonly refer to in financial products?

The term "deferred" in the context of financial products typically refers to the postponement of payments or taxation. This concept is often applied in various financial instruments, such as deferred annuities or certain retirement accounts, where the individual does not receive payouts or face tax consequences until a later date.

For example, with a deferred annuity, the investor contributes funds to the account, but the payouts are delayed until a designated time in the future, often leading to tax advantages as well. This can be appealing for those looking to manage their tax liabilities strategically.

The other options do not capture the essence of what "deferred" means in this context. Immediate payouts suggest a different financial arrangement that does not involve delay, guaranteed investment returns imply a level of certainty that isn't necessarily tied to the concept of deferral, and high-risk investment options typically denote investments that do not involve any postponement of returns but instead carry the potential for immediate gains or losses.