Thousands losing out to annuity 'inertia' - Just Group

Lack of consumer engagement

Ayesha Venkataraman
clock • 2 min read

Retirees are losing out on thousands of pounds of retirement income by purchasing Guaranteed Income for Life (GIfL) plans from their existing pension provider instead of shopping around for the best quote on the open market, according to retirement specialist Just Group.

The latest Retirement Income Market figures from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) show half (53%) of GIfL plans - more than 30,000 a year - purchased in 2020/21 were sold by pension companies to their existing customers. The lack of switching - despite the FCA's push in 2019 for firms in the guaranteed income market to provide the consumer with the best quote in the market - suggested the consumers' "misplaced loyalty and inertia may be eclipsing extra cash," Just Group said. In 2019, the FCA brought in changes to the disclosures given to consumers making complex choices about th...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

Advised clients want more personal investment communication

Advised clients want more personal investment communication

Four in ten say comms focused more on product than goals

Jenna Brown
clock 12 November 2026 • 3 min read
How economic abuse manifests itself in pensions, mortgages and protection

How economic abuse manifests itself in pensions, mortgages and protection

Second in a three part series

Shelley Read
clock 11 November 2026 • 5 min read
Celtic FP founder launches online admin platform for advisers

Celtic FP founder launches online admin platform for advisers

‘Developed by people who understand the industry’

Jenna Brown
clock 10 November 2026 • 2 min read