They are currently top of the Money Advice Service tables for pension annuities for several types of product and superficially an easy route as they will deal directly with you without a blood-sucking intermediary. But dealing with them is like trying to push a giant blancmange up a mountain. Slow, unresponsive, poor communication and every little thing takes umpteen working days. They have the usual layer of customer service generalists between you and the people actually doing the job for you. You need to press them by phone and e-mail on a regular basis. Truly shocking. I'll be looking at Hodge for another pension pot if I can get them to quote for my needs, and/or let an intermediary deal with it all.