Uncertainty over the financial strength of companies is turning more customers towards guaranteed annuities, says the Annuity Bureau, quoting figures from the Association of British Insurers.
The departure from the market of names such as Britannic Retirement Solutions, Challenger Life and Equitable Life have already pushed the stability issue to the top of the agenda, and that was before Standard Life ran into its troubles in the past month. Peter Quinton, managing director of the Annuity Bureau, says people are aware more than ever of the squeeze put on insurers by demographic changes coupled with falling profit margins linked to investments. ”The trend is to play safe in what are still being seen as uncertain times, and I see this as being the theme for several months a...
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