With-profits annuities invest in the provider's with profit pension fund, and the objective is to provide a growing income through steady investment returns, the increases being determined by the bonus rates declared. Normally an Anticipated Bonus Rate (ABR) is selected at outset; the higher this is, the higher the initial income will be but this is at the expense of a greater risk of it subsequently falling. Not all providers offer with profit annuities

Most with profit providers offer a guaranteed minimum below which the income will not fall, the level varying between different providers. Conversely, if an ABR of zero is selected, the income will start at a lower level, but will not go down, and any bonus declared will result in an increasing income. Some people use this option in preference to an Indexed Annuity.

As all current with-profit annuities carry some form of risk, we recommend that you obtain specialist advice when considering the purchase of any with-profit or investment linked annuity.

Important Notes

1. The anticipated bonus rate can normally be changed on the contract's anniversary, subject to certain conditions which vary between different providers.
2. Most providers offer the option to convert to a conventional annuity, although this may be at different rates from those being offered to new customers at that time
3. The total annual bonus is made up of a reversionary element, and a temporary bonus element. How these bonuses are applied to the annuity varies between providers.
4. Your annuity is linked to the investment performance of the insurance company's fund, and with-profit annuities are designed to smooth out investment returns in a volatile share market.
5. Your income is likely to vary on an annual basis, and can move down as well as up.
6. As this is an investment product, the with-profit fund's investment strategy and financial stability are key factors to consider when choosing a suitable provider. The specialist advisers at UK IFA NET Ltd will give you detailed information, and / or advice if you are considering a with-profit annuity.
7. With one exception, with profit annuities cannot normally be used for Protected Rights funds

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