Annuities

If I purchased an annuity on Monday (today is Wednesday), approximately how long will I have to wait to receive my first payment?

If I die, do my annuity payments go to a beneficiary?

I am 54, married and have one grown child. I have several different retirement accounts (401k, brokerage accts, etc.), but don’t feel extremely prepared for retirement. My advisor is recommending an annuity, but I’m not convinced. Can someone recommend the right questions I should be asking to determine if this is truly a product I should be purchasing?

Can I get a simple, straightforward definition? No big fancy financial terms please, just talking to your average joe!