Flexi-access drawdown is among the phrases that should be confined to the scrap heap to make pensions clearer for consumers, the ABI says.

Uncrystallised pension funds lump sum is another on the list for the chop in a bid to eradicate jargon.

The ABI has created a guide offering alternative words and phrasing that the industry can use when dealing with consumers.

The move comes following research into what people find confusing about pesions.

The guide aims to standardise the language used to describe retirement options and make them crystal clear.

Dr Yvonne Braun, ABI director of policy, long term savings and protection, said: “The industry recognises that pension language can be confusing and is working to make sure more people understand the new options available to them for their retirement.

“Customers who are engaged in their pension are better able to make decisions that suit their individual circumstances so it’s important that we make these options as clear and comparable as possible.”

Consumer research by Money Advice Service and ComRes found that:

• Terms such as flexi-access drawdown, fund, and uncrystallised pension funds lump sum are too confusing and should be avoided.

• Some terms such as ‘taking cash’ or ‘chunks’ from your pension are seen as too informal.

• Information about tax and fees should be mentioned explicitly and up front.

• People want pensions language to encourage them to take responsibility for their finances, but it should not be alarmist.

The ABI guide proposes the new retirement options be explained as:

• You can keep your pension savings where they are.

• You can take your whole pension pot in one go.

• You can take your pension pot as a number of lump sums.

• You can get a flexible retirement income.

• You can get a guaranteed income for life.

• You can choose more than one option and you can mix them.

Dr Braun said: “This guide to making retirement choices clear could make a real difference by helping people to better understand their options.

“But we need the wider sector to contribute to the consultation and implement the guide so that simple language can be used consistently across the whole market and by all those talking to people about their retirement income options.”

For the guide and the language to be consistently applied across the sector, the ABI is consulting more widely to gather views, including from media and consumer organisations, until 19 June.

The ABI will be officially launching a consultation at its Transforming Long Term Savings conference tomorrow.