October 2010. The latest findings from the MGM Advantage Annuity Index, which tracks the income paid on enhanced and conventional annuities on a quarterly basis, reveals that in the three months between June 2010 and September 2010 the average conventional rate fell by 3.65%.

Since June last year, the average conventional rate has fallen a staggering 6.98%.

The average rate on standard and enhanced annuities fell by 3.65% and 3.04% respectively between June and September this year, and the corresponding figures since June 2009 are 6.98% and 5.32%.

The trend for annuity rates for 20 years or so has been down and industry experts are predicting that rates have not yet bottomed. So just what can retirees do to combat these falling rates? We asked IFA Mark Donnelly from annuity experts Retirement Solutions, “When you decide to take your annuity you will have a pot of money which is the accumulated fund and you have to make the very most of this as it needs to last you for the rest of your life. My first suggestion is seek independent financial advice, do not just accept the offer made to you by the pension company you accumulated the fund with. Take your pension fund to the entire market and look at the options available. The options are not just lifetime annuities, depending on the size of your accumulated fund and your attitude to risk, there are now many different alternatives to consider and this is why you must seek independent financial advice.”, said Mark.

October 2010 sees us entering the final quarter for the year and the run into xmas. What are the best annuity rates doing in October? I notice many of the shops have already started to stock xmas gifts, they seem to get earlier every year.

Best annuity rates for October 2010, £50,000 pension fund after tax free cash has already been taken, annuities are payable monthly in advance without proportion and for standard rates; Male aged 65 £3,355 and Female aged 65 £3,087 remember, on average females live longer therfore the annuity income is lower as it is expected to be paid for a longer period.

For the same £50,000 fund and on the same annuity basis, Smoker annuity rates for October 2010 pay £3,776 for a Male aged 65 and £3,624 for a Female aged 65. Smoker annuities are generally available for those that smoke 10 cigarettes per day or 85 gm of tobacco.

Enhanced annuity rates for October 2010 are underwritten according to personal lifestyle or medical conditions and to get quotes you need to complete a medical conditions questionnaire.

If you are looking for the best annuity rates 2010 then you have come to the right place . Here at annuitysupermarket.com we will search the whole annuity market to find you the best annuity rates 2010.

Our expert annuity specialists will also check to see if you qualify for enhanced annuity rates due to lifestyle or health conditions.  Everyone who buys an annuity has the right to the open market option which means you can take your pension pot to another pension provider.

Best Annuity Rates 2010 with our annuity calculator

We will use an annuity calculator and specialist research tools to find best rates for you. We have access to many annuity providers that do not deal with the general public, they will only deal with intermediaries like annuitysupermarket.com.

What sort of things can qualify for enhanced best annuity rates 2010?

Around two thirds of men and more than half of all women are overweight. NHS, 2007

• Body mass index (BMI) uses height and weight to estimate whether a person is overweight. It is a commonly used indicator of body fat.
• You may qualify for extra income if your BMI score is above a certain level. You could also qualify if your BMI score indicates you’re underweight.