An enhanced annuity is another type of lifetime annuity, one that could increase the amount of retirement income payable to you if you suffer from ill health, have certain lifestyle issues such as smoking or being overweight, or if you have ever been hospitalised for a period because of a medical condition.
An impaired life annuity is similar to an enhanced annuity and brings about significantly higher retirement incomes for people with more serious forms of ill health that are deemed to be life threatening.
Enhanced annuities are designed for people with medical or lifestyle conditions that can potentially reduce life expectancy. Finding out whether you might be entitled to enhanced annuity rates is easier than you might think. Three simple questions will tell you if you could qualify:
■ Are you a regular smoker?
■ Do you now or have you ever taken prescription medication?
■ Have you ever been hospitalised for a medical condition?
If you answer “yes” to any of the three questions above you will need to provide details of any medical condition(s) you suffer from, and any medication you are taking, or your smoking habits.
We can assist you further with a dedicated telephone underwriting service, immediate accurate (i.e. not just indicative) annuity quotes, and also a 45 day quote guarantee period for enhanced and impaired life annuities.
Should you wish to make an enquiry regarding an enhanced annuity for ill health or smoking, we have a dedicated enquiry form, enhanced annuity enquiry.
Take a look at the example quotes on the enhanced annuity rates page of this website, or, if you are a smoker, on the smoker annuity rates page. They illustrate clearly the higher retirement incomes available.
■ cancer
■ heart conditions
■ diabetes
■ asthma
■ obesity
■ high blood pressure
■ organ transplants
■ stroke
■ liver disease
■ alzheimer’s
■ chronic lung disease
■ kidney disease
■ multiple sclerosis
■ Parkinson’s Disease
■ disease of the central nervous system.
The list above is not comprehensive so it is worth checking if specific medical conditions are included. Enhanced annuities are not only for people with serious medical conditions. Lifestyle conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes (insulin dependent) could qualify for enhancement on their own or in combination. In fact, over 1,500 medical and lifestyle conditions could qualify.
Do take the time to provide as much information as possible, as this could potentially lead to a much improved retirement income.