“Annuities” means all agreements to make periodic payments in specified or calculable sums pursuant to the terms of a contract for a stated period of time or for the life of the person or persons specified in the contract. “Annuities” does not include contracts defined in § 38.2-102 and qualified charitable gift annuities as defined in § 38.2-106.1. As used in this title, unless the context requires otherwise, “annuity” shall be deemed to include “variable annuity” and “modified guaranteed annuity,” and shall be deemed to include a contract under which a lump sum cash settlement is an alternative to the option of periodic payments.