From the age of 55 you can purchase an annuity by selling your pension scheme to an insurance company which in turn promises to pay you a guaranteed income each year until you die. Traditionally this is a very secure pension option. On the downside, purchasing an annuity means that you no longer own your pension pot and your decision is usually irreversible.
It really depends on your circumstances now and what you are hoping to do in the future. The recent pension freedoms mean that you have more choice than ever before when it comes to taking an income in retirement. If you buy an annuity, you are usually waving goodbye to this greater flexibility and freedom. And, because you no longer own your pot, you have very limited options if you want to pass on any of your income when you die.
Unfortunately, not. When you sell your pension for an annuity then you no longer have a pension pot, the insurance company gets all of it. You can pass on some or all of the guaranteed income from your annuity when you die, although this will affect your annuity rate.
Let’s quickly look at how an annuity works. When you sell your pension to buy an annuity the insurance company will offer to pay you a percentage of the value of your pot each year until you die. This is the annuity rate which can vary depending on a number of factors.
For example: if you have a £50,000 pot and your annuity rate is 10% then you will get a guaranteed £5,000 per year until you die. A decade or so ago this 10% guarantee was not uncommon. Nowadays you are looking at 4-5% as a good return and potentially lower than this, depending on what sort of annuity you choose.
You have different options which can affect both the terms and the rate of your annuity. You might want your guaranteed income to increase each year in line with inflation, and then pass that income on to your partner when you die; choosing these added benefits will reduce your annuity rate. On the other hand, if you smoke or have certain medical conditions then you might be eligible for an enhanced annuity; in this case you would get a better annuity rate.
Doing a bit of research should give you a feel for whether an annuity is the right option for you or not. With the complexity of pensions, there are a lot of things to consider. And, if cutting down or stopping work is on the horizon then you probably have enough on your plate already.
That’s why it makes sense to ask someone to do all the hard work for you. And that someone needs to be a regulated financial adviser. It could be that an annuity is absolutely the right option for you. Alternatively, you might be better off to mix and match, using a part of your pension to secure an income for life and taking a more flexible option with the remainder of your pot. Or, perhaps you should steer well clear of annuities. Whatever your situation, we can help you to make the right decision.
Shopping around is key if you are thinking about buying an annuity. And it is worth getting to grips with all your pension options before making any final decisions. Here are a few things to consider and we are only a phone call or email away if you would like us to take care of everything for you.
There are lots of different types of annuities out there and you need to be sure that the one you choose will deliver what you need, both now and in the future. Are there health factors to take into account? Do you want the amount of income you receive to increase over time? Do you want your annuity income to pass on to someone else when you die? These are just a few of the questions you need to consider.
A lot of companies offer annuities and it could be that the first quote you receive, even if it’s from your current provider, is not the best deal out there.
I know we have already said this, and it is worth repeating: take a few moments to understand all of your pension options before making any final decisions. Any regulated adviser should be able to help you, showing you clearly why the option they have recommended is the best one for you, in relation to all the other options out there.
Peace of mind, that you will be getting the most out of this thing you have been putting money into for all these years. You now have a lot of options and even if an annuity is right for you, it is well worth making sure that you get the best deal you possibly can.
We can help you make the best possible decisions when it comes to your pensions. We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
