We have now published the second edition of our At Retirement Report, a quarterly index designed to track the preparation of those approaching retirement, changes in the ‘at retirement’ space, and how this is impacting decision-making and retirees’ returns.

In our first report, we focussed primarily on the dramatic impact the changes announced in the Budget had on those decisions of those approaching or ‘at retirement’, with an initial impact on annuity sales seeing a drop in demand in June.

In this latest edition, we are pleased to report some signs of this market stabilising with annuity sales in September up by 14% since the June trough.

We have also taken a look at the wider options now available with a special focus on equity release. We examine whether equity release can help cover prospective shortfalls for pensioners and whether this is likely to grow in popularity after April 2015.

One thing remains certain, with annuity rates under pressure, ever more options, and the greater ability to access pension savings, it is imperative that consumers understand the full range of options, and how these apply to their own individual circumstances, before acting. Advisers clearly have a key role to play in helping consumers evaluate their assets, whether property, savings or pension pots, as a whole as they approach retirement.

We hope you enjoy reading our report.