Retirement Options
If you have a Defined Contribution Pension, then rising interest rates could certainly make an annuity more attractive, but it should be remembered that annuities end on the death of the annuitant, unless a spouse’s pension (up to 50%) or a guaranteed period (up to 10 years) is built in at set up.
Adding a spouse’s pension, guaranteed period, and or inflation protection lowers the original pension payment (annuity). That said, if you want zero risk, with a fixed income an Annuity could best suit those who are risk adverse.
The other option after taking your tax-free lump sum is to invest in an ARF, which carries a level of investment risk, but can be managed as a long-term asset, whilst still providing an income.