13/06/2025
Annuities and Drawdown Pensions – What are the differences between them?
To discuss what would be the best options for your retirement, call our Retirement advisers on 02837 524061.
Abbey Financial Services NI Ltd are independent Financial Advisers.
What option is best for you?
Drawdown Pensions
This is a more flexible way of accessing your pension pot than its main alternative, an annuity.
It allows you to take out sums gradually leaving the rest invested.
Pension providers and investment platforms offer the product, which is generally available to people over 55 (57 from 2028) with a defined contribution pension and not a final salary or defined benefits pension.
How does it work?
It usually starts with taking with taking up to 25% of your pension pot tax-free.
The rest is moved into a “drawdown account” where it remains invested in funds of your choosing.
You can take single payments or regular payments from that drawdown account, but anything you withdraw over the tax-free portion (25% ) is taxed at your income tax rate.
The Risk
You have full control over how much to withdraw and how often, making it ideal for changing income needs.
However, your pension pot remains invested meaning it can rise or fall depending on market performance. Poor investment performance or withdrawing too much too soon may mean that your money runs out later in retirement.
Annuities
This type of financial contact converts your pension into an annual income. This can be paid annually, bi-annually, quarterly or monthly. The product is sold by insurance companies to those aged over 55 and over and can be fixed term or lifetime.
The amount you receive will depend on the size of your pension savings, the features of the annuity chosen and your health and lifestyle.
Once you’ve agreed to the contact, you cannot change it or transfer it to someone else.
Lifetime Annuity
Lifetime annuities guarantee you as set income for the rest of your life, no matter how long that is.
Other Types of Annuity
Fixed term or temporary annuities, Escalating annuities, Inflation-linked annuities, Investment linked annuities, Impared or enhanced annuities (can be used if you have health issues), Joint live annuities (allow you to transfer a sum to your spouse or partner after your death). Please contact the office for details of each type of annuity.
Taxation
Annuities contribute to your (or your spouse/partner) personal allowance and are taxable like any other income. Remember you are entitled to draw down a 25% lump sum tax-free from your pension pot.
To discuss what would be the best options for your retirement, call our Retirement advisers on 02837 524061.
Abbey Financial Services NI Ltd are independent Financial Advisers.