Taking control of asset allocation: an essential step on the road to successful retirement

With clients demanding more flexibility from their retirement planning, advisers need to be fully conversant with all the pension solutions available

The number of people that find the requirement to buy an annuity with their pension fund acceptable has dropped from 57% in 2001 to 30% in 2007, according to Retirement Planning Monitor 2007. This is clear evidence that clients are likely to be seeking more flexibility when it comes to retirement. There are a number of 'third way' or hybrid annuity products that have entered the market looking to meet this growing demand, however, the value of existing income drawdown schemes should continue to be considered. Since its introduction in 1995, income withdrawal has become hugely popular fo...