Snoring could lead to a wealthier retirement

Enhanced annuities take into account a wide range of medical and lifestyle conditions. But it doesn't have to be well-known illnesses - people should make sure they tell providers about all conditions.

For example, snoring is a common symptom of Sleep Apnoea (OSA) and OSA sufferers may be eligible for extra income in retirement via an enhanced annuity

A male OSA sufferer could receive an extra £12,000 retirement income over the course of their retirement

60% of the over 65s - 6 million people - suffer from OSA in the UK

Anyone who shares a bed with a snorer is likely to have suffered many sleepless nights wishing the snoring stopped. Well, they (and their partners) can now breathe a sigh of relief because it turns out there could be a positive side to the condition - thousands of pounds extra income in retirement. According to MGM Advantage, the retirement income specialists, sufferers of Sleep Apnoea (OSA) - of which heavy snoring is a symptom - can receive extra money in retirement via an enhanced annuity.

For a man this works out at £571.44 extra money each year above the current highest conventional annuity rate available in the market. Over a typical retirement period of 21 years, this amounts to a £12,000 pension income boost.

Andrew Tully, Pensions Technical Director, MGM Advantage said: "If you are a snorer, you're highly unlikely to tell many people but, when thinking about your retirement and purchasing your annuity, it's something to make very clear. Sharing that little bit of information could mean a difference of thousands of pounds of extra retirement income.

"Enhanced annuities take into consideration a wide range of medical and lifestyle conditions. Unusual conditions with subtle symptoms like snoring are eligible, as are far more common conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol. It really does pay to make your adviser or pension provider aware of any medical or lifestyle condition you may have. The difference between the worst conventional annuity rate and best enhanced annuity rate can be as much as 48%, which could make a huge difference to your retirement finances.

"So, next time you're kept awake by snoring, remember that heavy breathing could soon bring in the cash."

Other conditions which are likely to attain a higher income through an enhanced annuity are diabetes, angina, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Smoking can also lead to a greater pension income.