With interest rates soaring, can an annuity secure a happy retirement?
Once written off as poor value, sales are on the up with better returns. But many retirees remain sceptical. So are they a good option?
March 2023
Consumer champions
I have got into debt and can’t pay bills due to Royal London delays
The insurer told me it would take up to six weeks to get an annuity, but it’s been 13 and counting
January 2023
UK state pension age may rise to 68 in 2030s, reports say – what is going on?
It is claimed the Treasury wants the change for as early as 2035 – affecting those age 54 and under
October 2022
Annuities: rates on guaranteed pension income soar 44% in a year
Previously unfashionable product falls back into favour as people seek security amid financial turmoil
March 2019
The real problem in pricing of annuities
Money talks
Annuities: a £4bn pension heist, or a great opportunity to buy?
Patrick Collinson
August 2018
Pension firms profit from slowdown in life expectancy growth
Annuity providers could make more than £1bn from longevity not rising as expected
December 2016
FCA considers £1m compensation limit to increase protection for pensioners
Financial Conduct Authority to review safeguards against risk of financial firms going bust as pensioners favour drawdown products to annuities
September 2016
Annuity rates plummet, making 2016 'worst year for payouts'
Average income for retiring pensioners has fallen by 15% so far, MoneyFacts data reveals
August 2016
Retirees prove more prudent than expected after pension freedoms
On reflection
A big thank you to George Osborne – from the pensioners of Britain
Patrick Collinson
July 2016
How to negotiate the pensions minefield in Brexit Britain
The vote to leave the EU has seen annuity rates fall sharply. But would-be retirees still have other options
June 2016
Annuities take a hit as rates fall following Brexit
Retirees thinking of using their pension to buy an annuity to fund their retirement are advised to buy sooner rather than later
April 2016
Pensions: FCA proposes protections for people planning to sell annuity
Older homeowners unlocked £393m from properties in early 2016
January 2016
Most British savers fully cashed out pension pots on retirement after rule changes
Financial Conduct Authority study finds 68% of pensions accessed between July and September were cashed out, raising concerns over investment decisions
December 2015
Diminishing returns of selling your annuity for cash
In April 2017 the rules change and five million annuity holders can swap an income for life for a lump sum
September 2015
Complaints to FCA about pensions rocket
Hundreds of thousands withdraw cash from pension pots after rules relaxation
August 2015
Nils Pratley on finance
Chinese yuan: everything depends on what happens next
Nils Pratley
People’s Bank of China described move as a ‘one-off’ but if Beijing seeks to boost imports through devaluation, it will be a painful process
