How car insurance costs have changed: EU gender impact The EU gender rules have also affected the pricing of annuities. According to research by Moneyfacts last week, the European Union ban on insurers charging men and women different prices has boosted women's annuities - policies that pay retirees a regular income until death in return for a lump sum - by 2.9pc, while payments that can be secured for men have fallen by an average 2.7pc. Age (women) Pre-ruling Post-ruling % rise Age (men) Average premium