Investment

A pilot study examining the popularity of annuities priced on common health risks is being launched by Legal & general (L&G).

James Hay will accept applications for protected rights into its entire SIPP product range from 1 October 2008.

SIPP provider James Hay has announced its intention to accept applications for protected rights into its entire product range from October 1 to coincide with the change in regulations.

The stranglehold traditional annuity providers have on the market is making a mockery of the principles of treating customers fairly.

Most small firm pension schemes may be forced to shut in 2012 unless the Government cuts the benchmark for exemption from personal accounts, a study suggests.

Zurich has enhanced its regular payment facility on SIPPs and increased its range of wider assets available.

Annuity rates may have reached a "tipping point" and retirees should begin to consider using the open market option (OMO), Alexander Forbes says.

Zurich has augmented the regular payment facility on its SIPPs in a bid to increase the flexibility of the proposition.

Level annuity rates have edged downwards, suggesting that the annuity market has reached the end of its long bull run and reverted to the longer-term trend of falling rates, according to Alexander Forbes Annuity Bureau.

More than a fifth (21pc) of providers are still refusing to allow investors to hold private equity within their SIPPs, despite significant investor demand, according to research from Hotbed.