Pension freedom: Is a bird in the hand really worth two in the bush?

This phrase came to mind when I read this week that following Osborne's pensions revolution withdrawals have topped £8bn. This has prompted the Association of British Insurers (ABI) to warn that some savers may be in danger of running out of retirement savings by withdrawing too much from their pension pots too soon. Incidentally, this proverb refers back to mediaeval falconry where a bird in the hand (the falcon) was a valuable asset and undoubtedly worth more than two in the bush (the prey). The expression fits well into the long list of English proverbs, which are often associated ...