Annuities

Annuitants drawing an income from small retirement funds are most likely to sell their contracts, among those in favour of proposals permitting them to do so, according to research.

An exasperated Friends Life pension customer is taking his case to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) after what he said is a decade of poor service from the life company.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is to review the suitability of retirement advice following the pension ‘freedoms' set to be introduced next month.

Cash-for-annuities could cost pensioners twice

Controversial proposals to allow existing pensioners to sell their annuities for cash - and insurers to compete for the contracts - are to be discussed by ministers this week ahead of the 18 March Budget, according to reports.

Consumer champion Which? was one of just two organisations told about the pension reforms before last year's Budget, the organisation's executive director has said.

Advisers should shy away from clients eager to cash in their pension pots and bear in mind annuities are "still key to the advice process" for pots worth £30,000 to £100,000, said 2plan chief executive Chris Smallwood.

Nine safe bets (and a few unsafe) from pensions 'freedom'

Retirement Planner has launched of a series of breakfast briefings aimed at advisers operating in the retirement planning space.

The freedom to sell your annuity (read: The freedom to get screwed)