Deferred annuity

Questions about funding care?

Call us for your free consultation with one of our friendly UK care experts. If you need further support, our Care Concierge service is on hand to provide guidance on typical care costs, help you explore your funding and benefit options, or even negotiate care fees on your behalf.

Find out how Care Concierge can help you, or call now on freephone:

0800 098 8299

(Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

Cost of a deferred annuity 

The cost of arranging a deferred annuity can vary depending on a number of factors. 

These factors include your age and health, the expected level of current and future care fees, and the formula that your annuities provider uses to calculate your annuity rate.

A deferred annuity is underwritten, so the fewer health issues you have, the less it will cost. 

The cost of a deferred annuity is cheaper than an immediate needs annuity. However you do need to pay your own care costs until the deferred annuity comes into effect, so you need to make sure you have enough available money to do this, even if the care fees go up.

Benefits of a deferred annuity 

The main benefit of an deferred annuity is that you know the cost of your care will be covered for as long as you need it – however long that is.

Ordinarily, if you were living in a residential care home and became unable to continue to pay your care fees yourself, the local authority would step in and pay them instead. This means you may find that the local authority allowance doesn’t cover the cost of the residential home you have chosen.

In this circumstance, unfortunately you might need to move to an alternative care home.

By purchasing a deferred annuity, you will guarantee that you won’t run out of money to pay your chosen care homes fees. If you decide to move care homes, you can transfer your policy from one care provider to another.

Also, because the income goes directly towards the cost of your care it doesn’t count as your income, so is not subject to income tax. 

Leaving residential care when you have a deferred annuity

If you need to or decide to leave residential care, then the income that was being paid to the care provider will instead be paid directly to you. 

However, it is important to note that this income will then be taxed. For this reason, it’s not advised to purchase a deferred annuity if you know your care will be short-term only.

Finding a regulated care provider

In order for the annuity payments paid directly to the care provider to be tax-free, the care provider needs to be registered with the regulatory body in their area of the UK.

In England this is the Care Quality Commission, in Scotland the Scottish Care Inspectorate, in Wales the Care Inspectorate Wales and in Northern Ireland the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority.

All care providers who advertise their services on the Care Sourcer website are qualified with their local regulatory body.  Click here to search and compare all the local care homes and care at home providers in your area for free.

Consulting a care fees adviser about a deferred annuity

Buying any financial product is a big purchase. By consulting a care fees adviser you will get impartial and expert advice tailored to your exact financial situation, given by someone who knows the care system inside out. This means you can make the best choice for your specific circumstances.

The care fees adviser will ask your detailed questions about your circumstances and care needs. Using this information, they  will make you aware of all your options when it comes to paying care fees, and also give you advice on how you can proceed, including suitable financial products and services.

More about consulting a care fees adviser

If you decide to purchase a deferred annuity, your annuity provider might offer you a cooling-off period (usually 30 days) after buying the annuity, in which you can change your mind. 

Check whether a cooling-off period applies when you are enquiring about the annuity.

Summary

What is a deferred annuity?

A deferred annuity is a way for you to provide funding for long-term care in your old age. 

Buying a deferred annuity means that you invest money now in order to pay a regular tax-free income to your regulated care provider in order to cover the cost of your care, for as long as care is needed.

What happens if I have a deferred annuity and then leave residential care? 

If you need to or decide to leave residential care, then the income that was being paid tax-free to the care provider will instead be paid directly to you. However, the income that comes to you will then be taxed.

Should I consult a care fees adviser before buying a deferred annuity? 

Buying any financial product, including a deferred annuity, is a big purchase. By consulting a care fees adviser you will get impartial and expert advice tailored to your exact financial situation, given by someone who knows the care system inside out. This means you can make the best choice for your specific circumstances.

Can I change my mind after I have purchased a deferred annuity?

Your annuity provider might offer you a cooling-off period after purchase (usually 30 days) in which you can change your mind. After this, you won’t be able to cancel the annuity or receive a refund. 

Questions about funding care?

Call us for your free consultation with one of our friendly UK care experts. If you need further support, our Care Concierge service is on hand to provide guidance on typical care costs, help you explore your funding and benefit options, or even negotiate care fees on your behalf. Find out how Care Concierge can help you, or call us now on freephone:

0800 098 8299 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

Related Articles