Total sales across the Just Retirement group had grown by 11% between 2009 and 2010, from £446.1m to £495.1m.

The value of Just Retirement’s new annuity business grew by £29.3m to £378.6m in the six months to 31 December 2010.

This is an 8.4% increase on H2 of 2009, the annuity provider and distributor said.

Rodney Cook, chief executive of Just Retirement, said: “Equity release sales continue to demonstrate resilience in a relatively flat market, with the Group’s distribution arm Just Retirement Solutions steadily progressing as new affinity partners have joined with us.”