What’s next for annuities? Pension experts reveal how to get the best deal for your retirement

PENSION annuity rates and sales are rising and experts say now is a good time to buy one.

But the trick is to find the best deal for your old age.

Ellie Smitherman talks you through it . . . 

IS AN ANNUITY RIGHT FOR YOU?

ANNUITIES are retirement plans pensioners can buy to provide them with a fixed regular income for the rest of their life.

Rates are usually shown as how much money you will receive per year for every £100,000 you pay in.

For example, an annuity rate of 5 per cent would mean you get £5,000 for every £100,000 you invest – so if you paid an annuity provider £50,000, you would get £2,500 a year.

If you buy an annuity, you can opt to take a quarter of your pension pot as a tax-free lump sum.

The rest is then converted into a taxable lifetime income.

Exactly how much an individual gets from an annuity depends on their personal circumstances, such as if they are in good health, their life expectancy and how much their pension is worth.

Annuity rates have surged in recent years.

Average annuity rates for a 65-year-old are currently 7.18 per cent, up from 5.11 per cent in January 2022.

The latest data from the annuity comparison tool of financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown’s shows a 65-year-old with a £100,000 pension pot can get up to £7,146 a year.

This is up 43 per cent on what they would have got just three years ago.

But money paid from an annuity is subject to income tax.

And taking money from a pension in a lump sum can affect your means-tested benefits – they could be reduced or even stopped.

What’s next for rates?

RETIREES are rushing to lock in high rates, says Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown.

This is because many think the Bank of England will cut interest rates in the next few months, and this could have a negative impact on annuity rates.

Helen told The Sun: “After years on the sidelines of the retirement income market, annuities are enjoying their time in the sun, as increasing interest rates pushed incomes skyward.”

Emma Watkins of pension provider Scottish Widows added: “While it’s hard to predict the future, many think annuity rates will follow the base rate down over the next few years – while staying well above historic lows.”

But experts urge retirees not to buy too much into the predictions.

Lorna Shah, managing director of Legal & General Retail Retirement, said: “While some commentators are suggesting annuity rates might change, economic and political uncertainties mean annuity rates can be very hard to predict.

“Instead of trying to make a decision based on rates, it’s important for people to think about personal needs and how different products can work together to give them the best result over the long term.”

HOW TO GET THE BEST DEAL

AS you get closer to retirement age, your pension provider will send you information about the value of your pension pot and the options available to you to take money from it.

Some providers can offer you an income directly.

But remember, you don’t have to take an annuity offered by your existing provider.

Buying an annuity is usually an irreversible decision so it’s crucial to consider your options, choose the right type and get the best deal you can.

Research by Hargreaves Lansdown found the difference between different providers’ rates can be worth thousands in retirement.

So shop around for your annuity – it almost always gives you a higher income in retirement.

Use tools such as the Money Helper’s annuity comparison tool, or use annuity brokers to find the best deals currently available on the market and tailored to your circumstances.

You can find a broker online but check reviews and fees.

Only non-advised providers will give you a quote without you taking advice first.

They will simply offer you the best rate they can find on the market.

There may be annuity providers offering higher rates via only a financial adviser.

If you are close to retirement and unsure about annuities or making the most of your pension pot, Pension Wise can help.

It’s a free service from government-backed financial guidance adviser, MoneyHelper.

To find an independent financial adviser, see the Unbiased website, but you will likely need to pay for their advice.

You can also compare annuities yourself on the Annuity Ready website .

If unsure how much to save, the Retirement Living Standards website shows the cost of different retirement lifestyles.

Then use a retirement income calculator to see how much you need to save to reach the level you desire.

Bear in mind there are lots of types of annuities so do your research and get advice to find the best fit for you.

There are pitfalls, too, such as the fact you cannot change your mind – annuities are a lifelong buy so you need to be certain.

This also means if there’s a chance your income needs might change drastically in the future, an annuity might not be the best option for you.

Remember not to automatically accept the annuity rate offered by your pension provider without checking what is on offer across the rest of the market.

THE BEST ALTERNATIVES

IF you want more flexibility over your income you might want to consider a different approach.

Most retirees now opt to leave their pension invested in the stock market, and take income as and when they need it, via “drawdown”.

As with an annuity, you can withdraw a quarter as a tax-free lump sum, with the rest taxed as income.

Drawdown is more flexible than an annuity, and returns may be higher, but savings are exposed to greater volatility.

If there is a stock market crash, the fund value will fall, so your income needs may not be met.

If you are considering a draw-down, seek financial advice.

You are not limited to picking one option. You can mix and match.

So you could use some of your pot to buy an annuity and leave the rest invested to draw an income from it.

FIVE FACTORS KEY TO RATE YOU’LL GET

VARIOUS factors impact exactly how much income you get . . . 

• GILT YIELDS: Annuity providers tend to fund them using returns from government bonds called gilts. The Government pays the annuity provider a fixed interest amount, tied to the Bank of England interest base rate. When the base rate rises, gilt yields also increase, subsequently boosting annuity rates, as observed in recent years.
• THE VALUE OF YOUR PENSION: The size of your pot is the primary factor determining your annuity income. The more savings you allocate to buy an annuity, the higher your income will be.
• AGE AND LIFE EXPECTANCY: How long you are expected to live significantly influences the annuity rate you are offered. The more years this is, the lower your rate, as the provider will be paying you for a longer period. For example, a 60-year-old will typically receive a lower income than a 70-year-old.
• YOUR HEALTH: Poor health, smoking or being overweight can lead to a shorter life expectancy, which may qualify you for a better annuity rate. It is crucial to declare any health conditions to your provider.
• YOUR POSTCODE: Annuity providers use your postcode to estimate life expectancy. If you reside in an area with a lower-than-average life expectancy, you may be offered a slightly higher rate.

‘There’s been a cloud over my solar power payments’

Q: I HAVEN’T been paid for my solar panels in almost nine months and I don’t know why.

I got them in 2011 and my energy supplier, Ovo, usually gives me money for energy I generate every three months.

But I haven’t been paid since February this year, covering from December 2023.

I have complained but haven’t had a straight answer as to what’s causing the delay. Can you help?

Leighton Reardon of Blackwood, Caerphilly

A: SOLAR panels can be a great long-term investment, as your energy supplier should reimburse you for any energy you generate yourself and supply back to the grid.

Unfortunately, there are often requirements you have to follow to ensure you keep getting your payments.

In your case, for example, Ovo Energy explained that you need to submit a “meter verification” every two years.

This involves sending a photo of your meter to the firm so it can check your latest reading.

You were supposed to submit your latest photo around July 2023, but Ovo said it didn’t receive it until August this year.

A spokesperson for the firm said it sent you a reminder in February.

But you clearly had not realised this was stopping you receiving your payments, and I’m concerned about why this was not made clear when you repeatedly called to complain.

You said staff on the phone “fobbed you off” and didn’t understand the problem.

I have asked Ovo to investigate, as I feel your problem could have been easily resolved over the phone.

Ovo has now reached out to explain what happened and what you need to do in future.

And a spokesperson said you will now be paid for the full period from December 2023 to September 2024 by early November, which you are happy with.

A spokesperson for Ovo said: “We’re glad to put this right so Mr Reardon can benefit from his panels.

“Our team continues to be on hand to support with any further questions.

“We encourage customers to contact us if they have any questions about their solar panels.”

Premium prizes take a hit

MILLIONS of Premium Bond holders will see their chances of winning cash tumble next month.

National Savings & Investments has slashed the prize fund rates for the second time this year in a blow to savers hoping to score a win.

Ellie Smitherman explains what you need to know . . . 

WHAT IS CHANGING? Premium Bonds are a type of savings account that doesn’t offer interest payments like conventional accounts.

Instead, you’re given the chance to win a prize in the draw every month.

The prize fund rates are to be cut to 4.15 per cent from 4.4 per cent from December.

Savers will see their chances of winning in the monthly draw slide from 21,000 to 1 down to 22,000 to 1.

The prize fund was already cut earlier this year, falling from 4.65 per cent in March.

NS&I is also cutting interest rates for Direct Saver and Income Bonds to 3.75 per cent from 4 per cent where it has been since November 2020.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU WIN? There will continue to be two winners of the top £1million prizes from December’s draw.

And the number of the lowest £25 prizes will increase from 1.49m to an ­estimated 1.5million in December.

But the number of winnings between the biggest and smallest prize will all fall.

Overall, there will be an expected 5,726,438 prizes worth £435,686,300 in December, down from 5,991,306 prizes worth £461,330,525 this month.

Each £1 you put in ­Premium Bonds is an entry into the monthly prize draw.

All bonds have an equal chance of winning and the more you buy, the greater your chances.

SHOULD I CASH IN? Two thirds of ­Premium Bonds holders have never won, according to recent figures from a Freedom of Information reguest obtained by savings platform AJ Bell.

These savers may have missed out on significant returns in a higher paying cash account or by investing money – particularly if they have held the bonds for a long time.

If you are looking to make a decent and reliable return on your cash, numerous savings accounts pay a better rate.

For example, you can currently earn 5 per cent interest with app-based provider Chip on its easy access account.

It’s worth noting that Premium Bond winnings are tax-free.

Anyone who has used up their annual ISA limit or personal savings allowance could benefit by ­saving into Premium Bonds.

Premium Bonds are government-backed, meaning your money is safe and there’s no risk of losing it.

But other banks and building societies are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, which covers up to £85,000 of money per person, per financial institution.