Retirement

The results of the FCA's thematic review of the annuity market highlight the need for urgent reform of the at-retirement market. However, Helen Morrissey asks if the review goes far enough?

In this week's quick-fire poll we ask: Should there be a one-year 'cooling off' period during annuity purchase?

Retirement Planner's round up of the top pension stories this week.

Retirement provider MetLife has increased the income deferral rate on its unit-linked guaranteed products.

Average pension scheme charges are running above the 0.52% level estimated as normal by the Association of British Insurers (ABI), according to official government figures.

Labour MP Rachel Reeves has demanded Prime Minister David Cameron "clarify" the government's position on a charge cap for defined contribution (DC) schemes.

The reduced lifetime allowance for pension contributions will take ordinary savers by surprise, research by self-invested personal pension (SIPP) provider Liberty SIPP has predicted.

Some 353,000 annuities worth just under a total of £12bn were sold by Association of British Insurers (ABI) members in 2013, latest figures show.

It is "not unreasonable" for investors to anticipate a 2% base rate as early as 2016, but increasing rates is still considered a last resort to tame the housing market, according to Bank of England policymaker David Miles.

Opting out should not be possible when it comes to pensions