5.8% wage growth brings personal allowance into focus for pensioners ahead of the Spring Statement

As it stands, from April 2026 people could pay tax on the state pension alone Further inflation-busting state pension rise would feed affordability debate Mike Ambery, Retirement Savings Director at Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group said: “This April the full new state pension will rise to £11,973 per year, 95% of the personal allowance – a welcome boost for …

Retirement Professionals5.8% wage growth brings personal allowance into focus for pensioners ahead of the Spring Statement

Annuity sales reach 10-year high

Market forces combine to create an attractive environment for annuity sales. Annuity sales have reached a 10-year high and rose 24% from 2023 to 2024.  Research from the Association of British Insurers shows that 89,600 pension annuity contracts were sold last year, representing a 24% increase on 2023. The total value of those sales, £7bn, also jumped from the year …

Retirement ProfessionalsAnnuity sales reach 10-year high

Annuity sales soar to £7bn in 2024 with more retirees taking advice

More joint life and inflation-linked policies purchased Total annuity sales reached £7bn in 2004, an increase of 34% year-on-year, according to latest data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI). Some 89,600 annuity contracts were written in 2024 surpassing last year’s total and reaching a new ten-year high, the body said. The ABI’s data also showed more annuity purchases occurred …

Retirement ProfessionalsAnnuity sales soar to £7bn in 2024 with more retirees taking advice

Gilt yield drama makes rising annuity rates ‘hard to ignore’

Dramatic spike in government borrowing costs January started in dramatic fashion for government borrowing with a significant cost spike which saw the 15-year gilt yield standing at 5.17%, compared to 4.23% on the same date the previous year. Uncertainty about the performance of the UK economy and the ramifications for inflation after Donald Trump returns to the White House are …

Retirement ProfessionalsGilt yield drama makes rising annuity rates ‘hard to ignore’

Ex-footballers join pension scam victims in HMRC campaign

Campaigners have called for an end to the taxman’s perceived harsh tax collection tactics as victims of financial misconduct recount ‘sleepless nights’ waiting for brown envelopes. Former Premier League footballers joined forces with fellow victims of financial misconduct yesterday to campaign for better treatment from HMRC. Figures including Andy Cole, Michael Thomas, Craig Short and Martin O’Neil marched from the …

Retirement ProfessionalsEx-footballers join pension scam victims in HMRC campaign