While Gordon Brown farms out his dirty work to the likes of Johnson, and his new financial secretary, Stephen Timms, it is well known within Government that the harsh line on pensions compensation comes from the Chancellor himself, who feels he has no obligation to help the cheated pensioners.But although there might not be anything that can be done to get the ball rolling before May, it may not be much longer before Brown's stubbornness comes back to haunt him. Meanwhile, those who are already in retirement, are receiving a fraction of a pension that they spent their whole life saving for - and which the Government told them was guaranteed.Although Alan Johnson is the Government's new fall guy for pensions-related incompetence, it is the Chancellor who lies behind the latest stalling. For the thousands who have lost most or all of their pensions through no fault of their own, in the schemes of now insolvent companies, it is incomprehensible that the Government continues to drag its feet over their compensation pot - election or no election.While some £400m (a grossly inadequate sum) has been promised to help bail out the estimated 65,000 pensioners who have suffered this fate, no details of how and when this money will be paid have yet been published. Finding solutions to these issues should be a priority for any government, but trying to prevent politicians from focusing on the most populist policies in the run-up to an election is more effort than its worth.But while parts of the pensions mess can afford to be put on hold for a few months, the more immediate problems cannot. Talk of Blair and Brown fighting over pensions credit, and an increasingly sympathetic tone from the new Work and Pensions minister, Alan Johnson, delivered some hope that the importance of pensions was finally seeping though into the Government's consciousness. But with the new year came a new tone - and as the decks were cleared for the election, the pensions train was derailed.While sorting out the problems with the state system and tackling the UK's perennial savings apathy are important, these are challenges that (although I'm loath to admit it) can probably wait until after the election.

The department of Work and Pensions (and Incompetence) has been busy being quiet over the past few weeks, helping the Government keep pensioners off the political agenda, to make way for a string of happy-happy announcements about child trust fund handouts and first-time-buyer initiatives. Tax-free cash is 25 per cent, with the balance taxed as income under both the existing and incoming rules.FINDING THE BEST RATES* Financial Services Authority To raise awareness of the better rates available, the FSA has compiled comparative tables. At , you can find lists of the annuities on the market and which companies offer the best rates.* Pension Advisory Service This is an independent organisation that provides help with consumers' pension and annuities queries. 0845 601 2923; .uk.* IFA Promotion will give you a list of three IFAs in your area. 0800 085 3250; * William Burrow Annuities Its website, , has tables showing annuity rates on the open market.. Do I still have to buy an annuity?Under current rules, you can take your pension fund as a lump sum if it is less than £2,500.

But in April 2006 the rules are being changed, raising the limit to £15,000. This means that people with pensions of between £2,500 and £15,000 who are set to retire before April 2006 should consider postponing their retirement date until the new rules come in, to get a substantial cash lump sum rather than be forced to buy an insignificant annual income. You can take up to 25 per cent of your pension fund as a tax-free cash lump sum.When should I start shopping around?Your pension provider must give you an estimate of the value of your fund no later than six weeks before you are due to retire, but you should request a statement three months before you retire, to give yourself time to compare rates. For how to find the best rates, see the box below.Is it worth asking an independent financial adviser (IFA) to find me the best rate?Not all companies deal directly with consumers so a specialist IFA will be able to search the whole market for the best rate. The IFA is usually paid commission by the annuity provider which will not affect the amount you get.I have only accumulated a small amount in my pension fund. Conditions such as serious diabetes could enhance rates by about 17.5 per cent, while very ill people who have, for example, terminal cancer or serious heart conditions could see a 35 per cent uplift.I am a healthy non-smoker Can I still get an improved rate by shopping around?Yes.