Risks and points to note
Future income
Whilst the maturity amount is guaranteed, lifetime annuity rates could be higher or lower in the future. This means that the amount of income the client will be able to secure after their maturity date may be higher or lower compared to the lifetime annuity income they could purchase today.
The higher the level of income they select at the start of the Plan, the lower the Guaranteed Maturity Amount will be.
The client's selected level of income may be restricted throughout the term due to periodic reviews of the income limits, set by the Government.
Their situation may change after their income payments have started but they cannot change the level of income selected.
Death benefits
If no provisions are selected for the client's dependant and/or beneficiaries, or those the client had selected are no longer applicable, on the client's death nothing further from the Plan will be paid.
If Plan Protection is not selected, the option to convert into an enhanced lifetime annuity during the term will not be available.
The client's situation may change after the Plan has commenced but they cannot change the death benefit options selected.
Rate changes
The Fixed Term Annuity rates can go up and down depending on market conditions. If the client's pension funds arrive after the guarantee expiry date shown on their personal quotation, the purchase rates on the date of receipt will apply, and their income and/or Guaranteed Maturity Amount could be lower than those shown in their personal quotation.
Inflation
Over the years, inflation may reduce the real value of the client's income payments. They can choose to have escalation which means that their income would increase at a fixed rate between 0% and 8.5% each year. However, the rate of inflation may be higher than this.
Cancellation and changes
The client will have 30 days after they have received notice of their right to cancel (included with their personal quotation) to change their mind. After that they cannot cancel the Plan.
The Plan has no surrender value at any time.