Annuities

BeatThatQuote.com, the two-year-old lead generation business, has broken into the annuities market for the first time, promising to match consumers with best quotes.

The Exchange's decision to introduce fixed term annuities as a new category is an early sign of the "major revolution" set to transform the retirement income market, says fixed term annuity provider Living Time.

Despite a rise in the amount of savings invested in annuities over the last year, 60% of consumers are failing to use the Open Market Option.

Zurich has announced it is exploring the possibility of selling its closed book of annuity business.

Fund choices in the personal accounts regime will to some extent be deliberately restricted because most consumers either do not want or do not understand choices put before them.

If the government decides to abolish or alter alternatively secured pensions in the pre-Budget Report, pensioners will be left with no choice but annuities past the age of 75, but are these still a viable proposition?

The UK government's gilt issuing policy may not only be affecting annuity values but also the prospects of deferred members of pension schemes which are winding up.

Canada Life has appointed two new heads for its life and pensions business and wealth management division which includes offshore business in the Isle of Man.

The life and pensions sector has continued to grow significantly with annuities hitting a record level of sales, claims the Association of British Insurers.

A default annuity option could be added to personal accounts as the government is switching its focus onto the decumulation phase of the retirement income system.