Disclaimer: Our website and publications aim to give you general information to help you make financial decisions. It is not advice, nor can it take account of your own particular circumstances. For advice with a view to making decisions about your own circumstances you should consult a financial or other professional adviser.

© The Financial Services Authority.

Getting help

Some annuity options are complicated, so think about getting professional advice.

Annuities and other retirement options are offered by insurance companies or other financial institutions. You can get advice from some of them direct or from their representatives or a financial adviser.

Firms advising or selling annuities have to be regulated by us, or be the agent of a regulated firm. Regulated firms and their agents are placed on our Register and have to meet certain standards. Always make sure the firm you use is on our Register and is allowed to advise on annuities before you hand over your money. If they aren't regulated by us and things go wrong, you probably won't be able to complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service or make a claim to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme – see Making a complaint. To find out if a firm is on our Register, see Check our Register

Information you will get

Firms we regulate must only recommend schemes that are suitable for you and must give you certain information about the firm, their services and costs.

You will also get a Key Features Document describing the main aspects of the annuity, such as its aims and the risks. Make sure you read and understand the information and ask questions about anything you are unsure about.

With basic annuities, you'll usually get a projection showing the amount of income you would get, given the size of your pension fund, your personal details and current annuity rates. The figures are shown after deducting any sum you have chosen to take as tax-free cash. For more information get a free copy of our Retirement options booklet. You can download or order it online – see Publications

Other sources of help

The Pensions Advisory Service is a not-for-profit organisation which can provide general information about all pensions – see Related links.

For details of pensions from employers' schemes talk to the pensions administrator, pensions manager or pension scheme trustees. You can usually get in touch with them via the Human Resources or Personnel Department of the relevant employer.

For information on making a complaint about State, occupational pensions or personal pensions - see Pensions, Complaints.

To check annuity rates – see Compare annuities.