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Buying an annuity using the Retirement Line annuity service

Written by Retirement Line Updated: 9th January 2025

We believe we are uniquely placed to provide you with the best annuity rates

A complete annuity service

Retirement Line is the UK's largest pension annuity broker*. This means that, if you are looking to buy an annuity, you can benefit from the preferential annuity rates we achieve thanks to the volume of business we introduce to the UK’s leading annuity providers.

The providers we work closely with include Aviva, Canada Life, Just, Legal & General, LV= and Scottish Widows. This annuity panel is constantly monitored to help ensure we’re always providing the best annuity rates available.

But Retirement Line’s annuity services go beyond securing you the best rate. Our Annuity Specialists also provide comprehensive information to help you choose the right annuity. Then, our administration team liaise with your pension scheme and chosen annuity provider until your annuity is in place.

To find out more, read about our annuity services below, call our team of Annuity Specialists today on 0800 652 1316 or request a call back. You can also use our free annuity calculator to see how much income you could secure with an annuity.

Click here for your free, no-obligation annuity quote

What is an annuity?

An annuity is a way to convert your pension savings into a regular income when you reach age 55 or over (rising to 57 from April 2028). If you have saved into a defined contribution personal pension or workplace scheme, you can use your savings to purchase an annuity that provides income either for the rest of your life or for a fixed period.

You might consider an annuity if you want a stable retirement income that isn’t affected by interest rate changes or stock market performance. An annuity guarantees your income, so you’ll know exactly how much you’ll receive from the start. Additionally, you can choose for a loved one to receive a lump sum or ongoing income if you pass away before them.

Why is it so important to shop around when buying an annuity? 

Your pension scheme may send you annuity quotations as you approach age 55 (57 from April 2028) or retirement. Accepting their offer may be tempting, but it could prove costly. That’s because of potential differences between the annuity rates and income they can offer, and what’s available from other providers on the open market.

This is why our annuity service includes comparing annuity rates and quotes from leading annuity providers. This is known as exercising your Open Market Option to help ensure you secure the highest annuity income from your pension savings. 

All it takes is one call to Retirement Line and we’ll run a detailed annuity comparison for you. This includes asking the right questions to see if you qualify for an enhanced annuity rate on account of your health or lifestyle. Even a moderate health condition or lifestyle choice such as smoking or drinking could qualify you for more income.

Can Retirement Line help me decide which type of annuity is right for me?  

As the UK's largest pension annuity broker*, we can provide you with the information you need to choose the most suitable annuity. Our Annuity Specialists will take the time to explain the different types of annuities available. 

The clear and jargon-free information provided will make it easier for you to choose between the different plan types and annuity options available to you, such as: 

  • An enhanced annuity (if you are eligible) offers higher income for life if you have a qualifying health condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes, or lifestyle factors such as a history of smoking or obesity.

  • A fixed term annuity pays an income for a set number of years. You can build in a guarantee of a lump sum available at the end of the term, which you can take as taxable cash or use to generate further income.

Our Annuity Specialists can also take you through other annuity options and features such as death benefits and inflation-proofing your retirement income. It’s all part of the annuity service we provide.

Steve Boyden

We offer you annuity services with ‘more’

Retirement Line provides an annuity service that makes things simple and straightforward. We'll help you choose an annuity that’s right for you, and that helps give you the best retirement income. 

We offer you:

✔️ More focus. We have many years’ experience of successfully arranging pension annuities, providing annuity quotes for the thousands of people a year who contact us. Arranging annuities is all we do!

✔️ More choice. As annuity brokers, we provide annuity quotes from the UK's leading providers. Why take the first annuity offer you receive from your pension scheme when instead we can shop around for a better deal on your behalf?

✔️ More income. Retirement Line specialises in enhanced annuities. Using our annuity expertise, we typically help around 80% of customers who approach us for a lifetime annuity to qualify for an enhanced rate¹. Together with preferential annuity rates thanks to the volume of annuities we place, this helps to ensure our clients get more retirement income.

✔️ More help. By taking care of all the annuity paperwork, we also make arranging your annuity simple and straightforward. Every aspect of our annuity service, from providing annuity quotes to arranging your annuity income is at no direct cost to you, as we receive commission from your chosen annuity provider.

Retirement Line’s three-step annuity service

1. Annuity quotes

We compare the UK’s leading providers to find you the best annuity rates tailored to your personal details and preferences. We’ll produce as many quotes as you need without any obligation.

2. Expert information and guidance

As part of our personalised annuity service, our team will take the time to ensure you understand your options. If you do wish to go ahead, you’ll be confident we’ve helped you find the right annuity and features to meet your needs.

3. Setting up your annuity

As your dedicated annuity broker, we’ll handle all the paperwork and work with your pension scheme and chosen provider to set up your annuity, keeping you updated at every step.

What do customers say about Retirement Line’s annuity services?

More than 3,500 people have left reviews for Retirement Line on Trustpilot. The ‘Excellent’ five-star rating we’ve achieved speaks volumes about the quality of our annuity service.

Here are just a few examples of the reviews for our annuity broker service left by our customers:

“Retirement Line has met and exceeded my expectations with their comprehensive, reassuring service. I have no hesitation in recommending them.”

“Will be recommending Retirement Line to all of my friends and family. Thank you once again for all your support.”

“I found Retirement Line to be very helpful and kept me informed throughout the process. I don’t think I would have managed without them.”

“I was kept informed throughout regarding the progress. Retirement Line have been a pleasure to deal with and I would not hesitate to recommend them to family and friends. 100% trustworthy, friendly and professional service.”

“All in all a very positive experience with a much better financial outcome than I was achieving through other brokers.”

Mr Cartwright

Retirement Line are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

Retirement Line’s details can be found in the Financial Services Register. Please enter Retirement Line’s registered number 726601 to access our record in the Register. You will see that we have been authorised and regulated by the FCA since 2016.

We highly recommend that you only discuss your pension arrangements with firms such as Retirement Line who are authorised and regulated by the FCA. Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous individuals attempting to scam people out of their pension savings. This is why the FCA has launched its ScamSmart website with tips on how to spot fraudsters.

It may also be reassuring to know that Retirement Line’s annuity service is recommended by companies including Lloyds Bank, Tesco and Virgin Money for their employees.

Speak to an Annuity Specialist today

Are you over 55 and have 'defined contribution' personal or workplace pension savings? If so, Retirement Line can explain your options and provide you with annuity quotes from leading providers. 

For a free, no-obligation annuity quote, try our free annuity calculator, call us on 0800 652 1316 or email us at info@retirementline.co.uk

Click here for your free, no-obligation annuity quote 

¹ For calendar year 2022, 79.52% of the lifetime annuities arranged by Retirement Line were on enhanced terms.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a cost to using Retirement Line’s annuity service?

As part of our personalised annuity service we’ll provide you with all the information you need about annuities and produce quotes so that you can compare your options. This is without charge or obligation on what’s known as a ‘non-advised’ basis.If you ask us to arrange an annuity for you, we will be paid a commission from your chosen provider, which is taken into account when calculating their annuity rate. 

Can I use more than one pension pot to buy an annuity?

Yes, you can bring multiple pension pots together to buy an annuity. If you have more than one pension pot, Retirement Line can liaise with your pension schemes and chosen annuity provider as part of our annuity service. Our Annuity Specialists can also help you to check for valuable benefits such as a guaranteed annuity rate within your pension schemes. Having these benefits may mean it’s better to stick with your pension scheme for an annuity, rather than choosing a different provider, but this isn’t always the case.

  • Aviva
  • Canada Life
  • Just Retirement
  • Legal & General
  • LV
  • Scottish Widows

Call now and talk to an Annuity Specialist about how we can boost your annuity income in retirement

0800 652 1316



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