LV= has held annual bonus rates on most of its with-profits policies as the provider’s with-profits fund earned an investment return of 5.7 per cent during 2011.

Just two of LV=’s 13 with-profits products saw any change in the annual bonus compared with 2010.

Bonus rates on with-profits pension annuity - series 3 & 4 policies were cut from 2.5 per cent to 1.6 per cent, while the annual bonus rate on the flexible whole life plan increased from 4.78 per cent to 5.54 per cent.

The surrender value on LV=’s 5 year with-profits growth bond increased from £10,825 in 2010 to £12,292 last year, based on a single premium £10,000 investment made by a 30 year old male.

The surrender value on a 10 year mutual investment bond for the same person increased from £12,900 in 2010 to £14,388 in 2011.

The provider also launched a mutual bonus last year. The bonus figure is based on an assessment by the LV= board of the provider’s financial performance and capital position over the year.

The 2011 mutual bonus took the form of an additional investment into members’ with-profits funds and represents an increase of 1 per cent to the value of the asset shares.

LV= with-profits spokesman Paul Downey says: “LV=’s long-term with-profits payouts continue to be among the best performing in the market.

“This year we are also proud to be giving our policyholders an even greater return by including an additional mutual bonus.”