(From April 2015, the rules involving annuities and income drawdown changed. Rather than having to purchase an annuity, pension savers can, if they wish, withdraw as much as they wish from their pension pots. In total, 25% of the pension pot can be taken free of tax; the balance being subject to income tax. Although this change may make annuities less attractive for some, many still prefer the security of knowing they have a guaranteed and secure income for life.)
What is an annuity?
An annuity is a contract between an insurance company and a pension scheme member, where the member uses some or all of their pension savings to purchase a regular and guaranteed income for the rest of his or her life or for a predetermined number of years.
The factors that determine the amount of income you can expect to receive include (but are not limited to) your age, state of health, your postcode, prevailing annuity rates, the type of annuity you buy and the size of your pension fund.
What are the advantages of an annuity?
- A regular and secure income for life (or a selected term)
- Can be tailored to meet specific individual needs and circumstances
What are the disadvantages?
- The income you can obtain will depend on the annuity rates that are in force when you decide to take your pension benefits and it is not possible to predict what they will be or whether they are higher or lower than current rates.
- Payments cease on death (unless you purchase an annuity which continues to pay income after you have passed away)
- Once purchased most annuities can’t be undone, making them less flexible than other retirement income options
Depending on your circumstances and requirements, some annuities may be more suitable for you than others. We are here to assist and to ensure that you purchase the annuity that most suits your needs and circumstances.
Important note
If you do decide to buy an annuity upon retirement, you should ensure that you check policies, rates, restrictions, and benefits very carefully, and if necessary seek advice from a financial adviser. Investing in the wrong annuity scheme could cost you a great deal in annual income, so make sure that you look into this subject carefully before you make any commitment.
MEET OUR Director/Wealth Manager
Aman Mashiana
Aman Mashiana is a strategic wealth management professional with more than 15 years’ experience building and leading advisory practices, managing substantial client portfolios, and delivering sustainable revenue growth in competitive financial markets.
The best solutions often start with the right questions!
FAQ'S
Not at all. We believe great financial planning should be accessible. Whether you are just starting to build your assets, navigating a major life transition, or managing multi-generational wealth, we tailor our advice completely to your current situation and future goals.
Our initial conversation is entirely exploratory and comes at no cost to you. It’s simply a chance to get to know each other. We’ll discuss your current financial picture, what you hope to achieve, and how we might be able to help. You won't need to sign anything or make any big decisions on day one.
We want to make managing your wealth as convenient as possible. We are happy to meet face-to-face at our office, or we can host a secure virtual meeting via video call (such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom) if that fits better into your busy schedule.
We believe in absolute fee transparency, meaning we agree on all costs upfront before any work begins. Depending on the complexity of your needs, our fees may be structured as a transparent percentage of the assets we manage, a flat fixed fee for a specific project, or an hourly rate. There are never any hidden costs or surprise bills.
Absolutely. It's incredibly common to lose track of old workplace pensions over time. We can help you trace your scattered accounts, review their current performance and fees, and—if it makes financial sense—consolidate them into a single, high-performing, and easy-to-manage retirement plan.
We don't believe in cookie-cutter portfolios. We take the time to deeply understand your time horizon, your specific life goals, and your personal comfort level with market volatility. From there, we build a diversified portfolio designed to grow your wealth steadily while keeping your risk well within your comfort zone.
Yes. Making money on investments is only half the battle; keeping it tax-efficient is just as important. We actively structure your wealth to minimize Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, and Inheritance Tax, ensuring more of your hard-earned money stays with you and your loved ones.
Tax planning, estate planning & Inheritance Tax planning are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Not at all. We believe great financial planning should be accessible. Whether you are just starting to build your assets, navigating a major life transition, or managing multi-generational wealth, we tailor our advice completely to your current situation and future goals.
Our initial conversation is entirely exploratory and comes at no cost to you. It’s simply a chance to get to know each other. We’ll discuss your current financial picture, what you hope to achieve, and how we might be able to help. You won't need to sign anything or make any big decisions on day one.
We want to make managing your wealth as convenient as possible. We are happy to meet face-to-face at our office, or we can host a secure virtual meeting via video call (such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom) if that fits better into your busy schedule.
We believe in absolute fee transparency, meaning we agree on all costs upfront before any work begins. Depending on the complexity of your needs, our fees may be structured as a transparent percentage of the assets we manage, a flat fixed fee for a specific project, or an hourly rate. There are never any hidden costs or surprise bills.
Absolutely. It's incredibly common to lose track of old workplace pensions over time. We can help you trace your scattered accounts, review their current performance and fees, and—if it makes financial sense—consolidate them into a single, high-performing, and easy-to-manage retirement plan.
We don't believe in cookie-cutter portfolios. We take the time to deeply understand your time horizon, your specific life goals, and your personal comfort level with market volatility. From there, we build a diversified portfolio designed to grow your wealth steadily while keeping your risk well within your comfort zone.
Yes. Making money on investments is only half the battle; keeping it tax-efficient is just as important. We actively structure your wealth to minimize Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, and Inheritance Tax, ensuring more of your hard-earned money stays with you and your loved ones.
Tax planning, estate planning & Inheritance Tax planning are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
