Until April 2015, buying an annuity was the most common way retirees could ensure a steady income over the course of their retirement. Most opted to buy through their existing pension provider. But pension freedoms mean that savers aged 55 and over have more choice in how they use their pension savings to fund later life. They can shop around for retirement products that are right for them.
Dreaming of living the jet-set life or are you looking forward to embracing a slower pace in your golden years? Either way you’ll need to ensure you’ve got enough money to support yourself for the rest of your life.
Purchasing a lifetime annuity is one option available to you which will provide a regular income stream for the whole of your retirement.
If you’re considering putting some, or all, of your pension savings into a lifetime annuity, it’s important to understand the pros and cons. Before we jump into the advantages and disadvantages, let’s quickly review what a lifetime annuity is and how it works...
What is a lifetime annuity?
A lifetime annuity is an insurance policy that pays a guaranteed income for the rest of your life. In exchange for some, or all, of the money in your pension fund, you’ll get a regular income for as long as you live. A lifetime annuity can provide security and peace of mind. This is because it guarantees you’ll always have an income, no matter how long you live.
You can usually choose to take up to 25% of your pension fund (or of the amount you’re allocating to buy an annuity) as a tax-free lump sum. You can spend this however you like. The annuity you receive from then on will be subject to income tax. The annuity provider will usually deduct tax based on your tax code, before paying you the net income.
You can tailor your annuity to suit your needs. You can add options to provide for your loved ones after you die or have your income increase annually. Or you can take out a joint annuity which will provide both of you with a guaranteed income for life.
It’s worth bearing in mind that adding any of these options will affect the annuity income you receive.
What are the pros and cons of buying a lifetime annuity?
Guaranteed income - an annuity provides a guaranteed income stream for the rest of your life.
Provide for your loved ones - select annuity options to meet your needs as well as provide for your loved ones.
Protection against inflation – choose to have your annuity income increase to help keep up with inflation.
A secure income - select a fixed income that always stays the same to help make managing your money easier.
Your annuity rate is fixed - annuity rates could fall in the future, but your income will not reduce if your annuity is already being paid.
Higher income if you are in poor health – if you have certain medical conditions, are overweight or smoke, you may get an enhanced annuity income.
Minimal risk - pension annuities provide a guaranteed income for life, free of investment risk, in retirement.
Available from age 55 - you don’t need to retire when purchasing your annuity.
You can’t change your mind – once your annuity payments have started you can’t change the options you have chosen.
You can’t cash in your annuity – you can’t swap your annuity for a lump sum if you decide it isn’t right for you.
Little flexibility - if you need more flexibility around how much of your pension fund you take as income and when, an annuity may not be right for you.
No growth potential – your annuity rate will not benefit from future stock market growth.
️Your annuity rate is fixed - annuity rates might rise in the future, but you won’t benefit from this if your annuity is already being paid.
You may get back less than you put in – if you die in the early years of your annuity, the total income you receive may be less than the pension fund used to buy it. This depends on the options you choose.
What to consider if choosing an annuity
Converting your pension savings into an income for retirement is an irreversible decision. So, it’s important to shop around for a deal that gives you with the best possible income for life. Remember, you don’t have to accept the offer given to you by your current pension provider. You may find you can get a higher annuity rate by comparing quotes from several annuity providers.
Looking for support?
Choosing which retirement option is right for you can be confusing. Opting for a lifetime annuity is a permanent decision so it’s vital you understand what you’re buying. This will enable you to make a choice that you are confident in for the long-term.
Our friendly customer service team can provide you with support in completing your application. They can help guide you through the process from start to finish. As a non-advised service, we can’t provide you with financial advice.
We recommend the following government service:
MoneyHelper
You are entitled to free and impartial guidance from Pension Wise, a government service from MoneyHelper. If you are aged 50 or over, you can receive tailored guidance online or over the phone to help you understand your retirement options.
www.moneyhelper.org.uk
0800 011 3797
If you need further help, you may wish to get in touch with an independent financial adviser. You can find a local financial adviser on the MoneyHelper site.
Shopping around for your lifetime annuity rates
If you’ve decided a lifetime annuity is right for you and you’re ready to compare lifetime annuity rates, all you need to do is complete one online form. We can help you compare guaranteed quotes from all providers in the annuity open market, to see if you can get a higher income from your pension savings.