Question:
Due to possible retrenchments I might be forced to go on early retirement at 51. I know that retirement annuities only kick in at 55 but is there an age limit for Living annuities?
Answer:
Charles, There is no age limit for living annuities, but you can only invest in a living annuity with the proceeds of your retirement fund. In other words, you cannot "withdraw" from a retirement fund and use the after-tax proceeds to invest in a living annuity. To invest in a living annuity you must "retire" from a retirement fund, and transfer directly. The problem is that you can only "retire" from a retirement fund at age 55, unless you are forced to take early retirement due to ill-health. You can buy a life annuity at any time, and you do not have to use "retirement fund money". However, you would have to use your taxed (cash lump sum) proceeds to buy the annuity, which is not tax efficient.