We believe that everyone deserves a just retirement.
Here you can see some of the campaigning work we have done with financial advisers to promote awareness of key issues in the retirement market.
Enhanced annuities: the majority qualify
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Our 'Majority' campaign helped raise awareness that health should be one of the first things taken into account when considering retirement plans as the majority of people could qualify for an enhanced annuity. Previously, it was thought that a minority of people would be eligible.
We estimate that 60% of cases could qualify for an enhanced annuity, improving their lifetime income by simply providing details of their health or lifestyle to their financial adviser.
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The retirement gap: expectations v reality
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The 'Fill the Gap' campaign highlighted to financial advisers the growing disparity between customer expectations of their income in retirement and the reality.
The retirement income gap will continue to grow through the dual influence of an ageing population and under-provision for retirement. Choosing an annuity that provides the maximum level of income possible - either through shopping around or by qualifying for an enhanced annuity - is ever more important advice for customers facing a disappointing retirement. |
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The benefits of shopping around for an annuity
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Our Campaign for Better Annuities raised awareness of the fact that tens of thousands of people retiring each year could be missing out on a significant amount of income in retirement. This is simply because they don’t shop around to find an alternative provider for their annuity income.
Targeting financial advisers, we pointed out that by exercising what’s known as the Open Market Option, it can make a significance difference to a persons’ income for the rest of their life.
The campaign was a success because thousands of financial advisers signed up to it to promote the interests of customers and secure them a better income in retirement.
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Using health and lifestyle to improve retirement
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This campaign emphasised the needs of customers in retirement and how they continue to miss out on lost income – either because they don’t shop around for their annuity, or because they qualify for an enhancement but are purchasing standard annuities.
We believe the facts speak for themselves and wanted to highlight to those influencing customer purchasing decisions that spending a little extra time shopping around, or answering questions on health and lifestyle can mean a significant improvement in the quality of life in retirement.
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Lobbying for change
Our lobbying work focuses on ensuring government and political parties make changes to the retirement legislation that benefits individuals. We respond to all Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs consultations in this area and work with industry bodies and regulators such as the Association of British Insurers and the Financial Services Authority.
Promoting safer equity release
We are a member of the equity release idustry body The Equity Release Council, formerly Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP) whose major focus is to ensure that products are safe and accessible for consumers.
The importance of professional advice
We do not sell our products directly and would always recommend you take financial advice.
If you do not have a financial adviser, you can find one local to you by using the free service Unbiased.co.uk, which lists all the UK's registered financial advisers.
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