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How stupid is the mainstream press?

I read in a Guardian article (http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2013/apr/23/falling-annuity-rates-cost-retirement) from yesterday about the rising cost of an annuity:
EU gender discrimination rules which came into force in December 2012 have also pushed down rates for female retirees.
The regulation in question actually improved rates for females (who tend to live longer). It was rates for males which fell in consequence. I suppose "distressed damsels" makes for a more sensational and politically-correct story than the truth.

Since this sort of "personal finance" article is where most of the population gets its understanding of financial products from, what hope is there?

Warmest regards,
FA
Thus the old Gentleman ended his Harangue. The People heard it, and approved the Doctrine, and immediately practised the Contrary, just as if it had been a common Sermon; for the Vendue opened ...
THE WAY TO WEALTH, Benjamin Franklin, 1758 AD

Comments

  • kidmugsy
    kidmugsy Posts: 12,709 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Aw, be fair, pa: it's the bloody Grauniad, innit?
    Free the dunston one next time too.
  • redbuzzard
    redbuzzard Posts: 718 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 24 April 2013 at 3:14PM
    That article just about makes sense, if you remove the sentence you have quoted, though it isn't easy to understand as it flits between gender equalisation and falling annuity rates.

    I think the writer probably knows her onions. The problems are the dumbing down (even in the Grauniad!) and copy editing I think. I have done a few articles for trade publications and as often as not they have been badly edited and lost or mangled something.

    And isn't it a universal experience that whenever you see an article on your own specialism or field of expertise, it's wrong?
    "Things are never so bad they can't be made worse" - Humphrey Bogart
  • grey_gym_sock
    grey_gym_sock Posts: 4,508 Forumite
    redbuzzard wrote: »
    And isn't it a universal experience that whenever you see an article on your own specialism or field of expertise, it's wrong?

    yes, but that's no excuse :)
This discussion has been closed.
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