Annuities - safer and better? Bamboozled!

Cash_Cow

What a bunch of superb and considered answers. I thank you all so much. It's fabulous info to think over and ponder.

I have 450k in tax free cash (well I paid the cgt so it's tax free now) aimed maybe at an annuity as I fear stocks as gambling with my retirement - never taken to them preferring property. Wrongly maybe but thats me. So to buy annuity , it may be best to live off the cash pot and port salary/div into my ssas for my imminent last 2 or 3 years or port via directors loan to max the 60k pa allowance? But then I'm volunteering currently tax free cash for tax on 75% of it on withdrawal?

I need pro advice obviously but my ifa has done what I'm hoping for soon and is in his villa tanning and he's a bit dialled down by now! Lots to think about and I know I'm in a good 'lucky' self made position with so many future options. Thank you all again. Appreciate it. No doubt I'll be back😁