Annuities

Annuities have had a difficult time in recent years. However, Peter Magliocco believes they can inject real flexibility into your retirement planning

Kim Lerche-Thomsen takes a look at how annuities can meet people's changing retirement needs

Up until now the impact of inflation on retirement saving has been largely ignored. However, for those pensioners on low, fixed incomes it is a very real threat says Aston Goodey

Fidelity has launched a new range of ‘lifetime funds' for people planning for retirement which use a ‘target date' approach instead of ‘lifestyling'.

The government's response to a public petition asking for the removal of the 70% tax charge on leftover Alternatively Secured Pension Funds, is a clear signal retirees need to be more innovative, claims Living Time.

Resolution is investigating the possibility of establishing a separate annuity company owned by shareholders, to capture a larger share of the vesting pensions market, as well as expanding its protection market position.

Advisers should focus on alternatives to annuities to help high-net-worth clients maximise their retirement income, claims Fidelity International.

Annuity rates have fallen significantly over the last five years, making it even more important individuals make good use of the Open Market Option.

Alternatively Secured Pensions are still a useful retirement planning tool, despite the industry's failure to achieve any tax concessions from the Treasury, claims Winterthur Life.

Rowanmoor pensions has criticised the government's decision to levy additional tax charges on scheme pensions and annuities to stop pension funds being passed on after death.