What do second-hand annuities bring to the retirement party?

This week saw a small step forward in progress towards allowing retirees to trade in their annuities as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) unveiled its consultation into how Pension Wise should support potential sellers. Within a few hours came what the FT described as "a blow" to government plans to extend pension freedoms as Hargreaves Lansdown said it will shun the new market. Allowing annuitants to sell has been controversial since it was first proposed with scepticism from many areas of the industry including many professional intermediaries. Most criticisms reflect the poi...