A story from the UK confirms that consumer awareness of annuities is quite possibly the lowest of any consumer financial services product.

A survey from UK insurer Standard Life indicates that almost half of UK residents do not know what an annuity is.

This is from a country where annuitization has been mandatory or compulsory...

Story comes from the London Stock Exchange:

Interesting piece in Advisor One by Bob Seawright.

Click here to read.

The following is a good resource for those who have interest in following the DOL / Treasury hearings on lifetime income options:

DOL Lifetime Income Options

A pretty good Consumer Reports article on annuity cash-outs and companies that operate in this area such as J.G. Wentworth can be viewed by clicking here.

There appears to be some debate taking place in the U.K. at the moment regarding compulsory annuitization.

A BBC article which can be viewed here discusses the issue.

Investment News columnist Darla Mercado has published a very worthwhile article on variable annuities that is similar to some previous posts on Annuity Digest such as the following:

http://annuitydigest.com/news/financial-advisors-defensive-variable-annuities-prove-be-among-best-wealth-management-vehicles-

When all is said and done, what is the top reason to consider an annuity?

How are annuities affected by inflation?

I am in my 30s -- is there any reason I would buy an annuity now? My financial advisor has suggested it.

I have heard some describe an annuity as "the opposite of life insurance", what do people mean by that?