Ready to buy an annuity now?

As the time draws closer to your retirement, it's a good idea to check with your pension provider and/or chosen annuity provider to see how long things will take. There may be a delay between buying your annuity and receiving your first payment from your pension fund, so make sure you have enough income to cover any gap. Until then, we've put together an annuity planning timetable to help you draw up a plan of action.

Topping up your pension and/or transferring any pensions held with other providers to us, can help boost your retirement fund and increase your options when buying your annuity. You might like to speak to our consultants about transferring your pension to us.

The rate of income you'll receive from your annuity when you retire will depend on a number of factors, which we've outlined in our guide.

To find out how much income your pension could provide, get a free personalised annuity quote.

Remember that when your pension matures, you are free to shop around for the annuity that best meets your needs, using the 'Open Market Option'.

We are the number one provider of annuities in the UK.* Over one million people rely on us to pay their pension every year and in 2009 more than 100,000 people chose to buy their annuity with us.

Find out about the wide range of annuities we offer and why choosing an annuity with us makes sense.

*Source: Company New Business Press Releases 2010