Over a million savers missing out on higher income for life

14 June 2017

The scandal, according to Money Mail, is a result of savers not shopping around for their annuity. Instead, they opted for the standard rate offered to them by their existing provider without shopping around for a better deal.

It means over a million retirees have been missing out on extra guaranteed income – potentially equating to thousands of pounds over their lifetime.

Central to the issue is a lack of awareness about enhanced annuities which take into account health and lifestyle issues.

As a result of pension companies failing to fully explain about enhanced terms, many people didn’t know that common health conditions and some lifestyle choices could qualify them for more competitive rates and a higher income for life.

Qualifying conditions for enhanced annuities include: 

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• History of cancer
• Heart disease
• Obesity or a very low BMI
• History of smoking
• …and more

In 2016 the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ruled that savers may have to be paid £450 million in compensation for mis-sold annuities dating as far back at 2008. One provider has set aside £175 million for this compensation*.

The FCA is apparently investigating insurers over claims that customers were not given sufficient information about shopping around. It seems that one in three insurance companies frequently failed to ask their customers about any existing health conditions or lifestyle factors which could entitle them to a higher income*.

Don’t miss out on a higher income for life

One of the benefits of using annuity specialist Retirement Line, is that we will always check if you are entitled to a higher income for life with an enhanced annuity.

Your existing pension company might not offer an enhanced annuity – not all providers do – and some of the leading enhanced providers will only deal through a regulated broker such as Retirement Line.

Retirement Line specialise in arranging enhanced annuities, with 82% of enquirers approaching them qualifying for an enhanced annuity and therefore better rates.

Calculate your potential retirement income now

Could you be entitled to an enhanced annuity?

Alan’s story proves that even the most active, fit and healthy people at retirement age can still achieve a higher income for life due to their medical conditions which are often kept under control by prescription drugs.

The problem is that many people are entering retirement completely unaware that they have a common qualifying medical condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

Don’t miss out! Retirement Line highly recommend you have a health check or blood test as you approach retirement so that you can enjoy a higher income for life with an enhanced annuity, if a qualifying condition is identified.

Speak to a specialist

If you are planning to retire this year then make sure you seek the assistance of an annuity specialist if you want to improve your chances of securing a higher income than your existing provider is able to offer.

Speak to the Retirement Line team today by calling 0800 652 1352 (or local rate mobile number 01733 307 240).

Retirement Line work on a non-advised basis, providing factual information to enable you to make your own informed decision.

*Thisismoney.co.uk 23 May 2017