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"The UK government removed the requirement for people in defined contribution (DC) approaching retirement to buy an annuity in a policy decision made in 2014 and effective from 2015."

Why is the above still misreported in this way? The requirement to buy an annuity was fully removed in Finance Act 2011 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2011/11/pdfs/ukpga_20110011_en.pdf).

Budget 2010 (June): "1.117 The Government will end the existing rules that create an effective obligation to purchase an annuity by age 75 from April 2011 to enable individuals to make more flexible use of their pension savings. The Government will shortly launch a consultation on the detail of this change and will introduce transitional measures for those yet to secure a retirement income who will reach 75 in the meantime."

Budget 2011: "2.52 Pensions annuitisation – The June Budget 2010 announced that the effective requirement to annuitise by age 75 would be removed from April 2011. Draft clauses were
published on 9 December 2010 following consultation on the details of the change during summer 2010."

I have no suggestion of how best to characterise the changes made in 2014/2015, but the characterisation you provide is incorrect.