It seems to me that a potential massive votewinner for the Tories (if they are smart enough, which I continue to doubt) would be to pledge: "We will allow you to take £3k per year from personal plans without taking an annuity." I am seriously convinced that the life assurance companies are in league with the government (and tory almost as bad as labour). The fact is annuity returns are little better than the return on the best deposit accounts - where you keep the principal ! Annuities are a scam. IMHO governments (of both persuasions) hate making rich 40 and 50 year olds from inheritance. They want them to keep working to fund all their schemes !
The 3K man