Annuities

The majority of Britons intend to remain in their current homes for the rest of their lives, according to Friends Provident research.

Scottish Life has cut open market option (OMO) waiting times for clients from an average of 11 days to 8.1 days using Origo's Options software.

Fixed-term annuity provider Living Time has boosted its online tools for IFAs as part of its campaign to promote more flexibility within the annuity market.

Commercial secretary Lord Sassoon has been told to take steps to improve consumer access to the open market option (OMO) and intervene on poor annuity rates.

Around three-quarters of retirees bought financial products via a bank adviser, with only 20% using an IFA, according to AXA's Retirement Scope report.

Retirement solutions provider Partnership has sold online advice service Annuity Direct to Retirement Angels for an undisclosed sum.

Just Retirement's group sales hit £1bn for the first time during the year ending June 30 2010, which is a 33% year-on-year increase.

The retirement income service launched by Annuity Clearing House (ACH) in June has had a positive reaction from advisers, chairman Peter Quinton says.

A third of people approaching retirement feel inflation poses the greatest risk to their pension pot, whilst long-term care was their second biggest concern, a survey from Sun Life of Canada found.

Life assurance group Just Retirement has acquired The Open Market Annuity Service (TOMAS) in a bid to streamline annuity shopping.