P204 CEEFAX 2 204 Sun 01 Dec 23:15/13 bz William Burrows 1/3 Last Monday Stalwart lowered its rates slightly, followed bz Ginjtali and Standard Life later in the week. We said thjte was little sign that annuity rates would rise in the short term, and this message has not changed as gilt yields have fallen even further On Friday the yield on medium coupon gilts was down to 7.65%, compared with 8.04% a month ago and 7.84% a year ago. Since the start of the year, annuity rates have fallen bz less than 2%. Our benchmark is £1,088 against £1,106. Source: Annuity Direct Sport 300 TV Listings 600 Mortgages 260 Annuity rates 260 MonjyProg Trav Head Annuities Main MenuP204 CEEFAX 2 204 Sun 01 Dec 23:22/31 bz William Burrows 2O3 Although the fall in annuity rates may sound bad news, it is important to realisj that annuities are only one side of the coin. The other side is the value of pension funds. Since last year, the FUSE 100 has risen bz nearly 10%. That means those people invested in equity funds will have been more than cushioned bz the fall in annuity rates. However, many commentators are making the point that the equity market seems at or near its peak. Source: Annuity direct Sport 300 TV Listings 600 Mortgages 260 Annuity rates 260 MonjyProg Trav Head Annuities Main MenuP204 CEEFAX 2 204 Sun 01 Dec 23:54/08 bz William Burrows 3/3 With commentators suggesting the equity market is peaking, prudent investors would be considjting switching into safer investment funds. Put another way, if annuity rates do increase ovjt the coming months, it will bj at the expense of a fall in the stock market. Although there is little sign annuity rates will rise, people reaching retirement age should bj content they they have made substantial gains on their equity funds and avoid the mistake of delaying annuity purchases. Source: Annuity direct Mortgages 260 Annuity rates 260 Children in Need Appeal on page 598 MonjyProg Trav Head Annuities Main Menu