Axa Wealth has introduced a set of investment and retirement options to its Secure Advantage range of variable annuities. The new features include lower minimum initial payments of £25,000, a new range of index funds and lower minimum qualifying ages. Investors in the Lifetime Income Plan will be able to invest up to 55% in equities and maintain a guaranteed minimum income for life; the Protected Capital Plan now offers a single capital protection guarantee with upside potential and death benefit.
David Thompson, Axa Wealth UK Distributors MD, said the firm has been evaluating enhancements to increase the appeal of the product since the launch of the Secure Advantage range in late 2010.
The firm said the changes to the Lifetime Income and Protected Capital Plans are in line with recent Finance Act changes and are designed to offer IFAs and investors a wider choice of remuneration options.
Lifetime Income and Protected Capital Plans are issued by Axa Life Europe and distributed by Axa Wealth in the UK.