Gender equal annuities could boost scheme pensions

The European court may decide on 1 March it is discriminatory to base actuarial projections on gender, outlawing traditionally lower annuity rates for women. Providers have warned the decision may lead to a reduction in men's annuity rates, rather than an increase in those for women, forcing them to turn away from annuities as a decumulation choice. However, Hornbuckle believes pension schemes may benefit if the ruling gets the green light. "Perhaps the most intriguing option could be to turn the spotlight onto Scheme Pension which will still be able to set income based on the indi...