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April 2010

Government working with industry 'key to unlocking equity release'

30-04-2010 10:45 - Government working with industry 'key to unlocking equity release'The government must work closely with industry in order for the benefits of equity release to be fully realised, it is believed.

Andrea Rozario, director general of Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP), said: "By working with the industry, whoever is in power after May 6th will have a...

Return of 90% LTV mortgages 'boosts' equity release prospects

29-04-2010 11:10 - Return of 90% LTV mortgages 'boosts' equity release prospectsBritannia and the Co-operative Bank have announced the re-introduction of 90 per cent loan to value (LTV) mortgages to the marketplace, which could signal a brighter future for the equity release sector.

If property market conditions improve and confidence among lenders and consumers...

Equity release body calls for radical political action

28-04-2010 11:09 - Equity release body calls for radical political actionLeading equity release trade body Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP) has called on the major political parties to go further in their pledges to tackle the issue of how to fund Britain's ageing population.

SHIP has launched its own three-point plan for the next prime minister and government,...

Government action on equity release 'crucial'

27-04-2010 11:18 - Government action on equity release 'crucial'A leading equity release trade body has reiterated its call for government action to simplify equity release procedures from a consumer perspective.

Andrea Rozario, director general of Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP), said it is "crucial" that the next government clarifies the...

Equity release demand 'remains strong'

26-04-2010 10:48 - Equity release demand 'remains strong'Demand for equity release products has remained strong in spite of the recession, new figures suggest.

Although the market has felt some impact from the loss of providers, activity has nevertheless remained "buoyant", according to Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP).

Drawdown...

Ageing population 'could increase demand for home income plans'

23-04-2010 11:05 - Ageing population 'could increase demand for home income plans'New figures suggesting a significant rise in the number of elderly people over the coming years could mean that home income plans will be in high demand as people look to fund their retirement.

There will be more than 300,000 centenarians in the UK by 2059, according to research from...

Equity release 'a logical option for retirement'

22-04-2010 10:35 - Equity release 'a logical option for retirement'Equity release schemes are a logical option for people sitting down to consider their post-retirement finances, according to an industry insider.

"If you are planning your retirement and you need to consider what assets you've got, then it makes total sense to take into account your...

Equity release 'boost' for LloydsTSB customers

21-04-2010 10:14 - Equity release 'boost' for LloydsTSB customersCustomers of LloydsTSB who are hoping to benefit from equity release schemes in the future may have been boosted by the company's latest mortgages announcement.

LloydsTSB has launched a new product in which people who hold current accounts with the bank are being given a 0.2 per cent...

Woman, 74, uses equity release scheme to help grandchildren

20-04-2010 10:47 - Woman, 74, uses equity release scheme to help grandchildrenA woman from Essex has revealed how she was able to use an equity release scheme to benefit her hard-up grandchildren.

Myrna Capaloff, a 74-year-old from Ilford, told the Daily Mail that she released a hefty £60,000 from her retirement flat in Gants Hill thanks to an equity release...

Property market 'improvements' could boost equity release

19-04-2010 11:08 - Property market 'improvements' could boost equity releaseMore homeowners may be set to benefit from equity release schemes in future after a relatively rosy picture was painted of the UK property market.

Although mortgage activity remains "subdued", it is now "comfortably higher" than a year ago, according to Paul Samter,...

Equity release body aims to clarify state benefits rules

16-04-2010 10:56 - Equity release body aims to clarify state benefits rulesA leading equity release body has launched a campaign aimed at clarifying exactly what impact equity release may have on state benefits.

Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP) believes that advice offered by the Department for Work and Pensions is at times inconsistent on this issue, leading to...

Equity release 'can help all the family'

15-04-2010 11:06 - Equity release 'can help all the family'Older people are increasingly using equity release as a way of helping out their offspring in times of need, according to a recent market report.

Some 35 per cent of retired homeowners used cash released from their homes to assist or treat their family and friends in the first quarter of...

Just Retirement sees rise in equity release applications

14-04-2010 10:46 - Just Retirement sees rise in equity release applicationsSpecialist UK life assurance group Just Retirement has announced a strong volume growth for the six-month period leading to December 31st, including over £100 million of completions for equity release mortgages and annuities.

The group has seen sales growth of 26 per cent and a 15 per...

Brits 'should seek IFA advice on equity release'

13-04-2010 11:05 - Brits 'should seek IFA advice on equity release'The UK's baby boomers need to consult independent financial advisers (IFAs) before taking measures like equity release in order to free up cash, according to one firm.

A YouGov survey carried out on behalf of AXA Wealth has found that the average baby boomer - that is, people aged between...

Equity release 'will become integral part of retirement'

12-04-2010 11:03 - Equity release 'will become integral part of retirement'Equity release is set to become an "integral part of post-retirement financial planning", according to a personal finance expert.

However, a number of challenges need to be overcome in order for the equity release sector to grow, stated Roger Marvin in an article for...

Post Office mortgage rate cuts could boost equity release market

09-04-2010 11:07 - Post Office mortgage rate cuts could boost equity release marketHomeowners with Post Office mortgages may be more likely to benefit from equity release schemes in future after the organisation lowered its interest rates.

For the fourth time this year, the Post Office has cut the rates on its fixed-rate home loans as part of its ambition to become a...

Offset mortgages could boost home income plans

08-04-2010 11:49 - Offset mortgages could boost home income plansTop-rate taxpayers are being urged to transfer to offset mortgage products, in a move that could help them to benefit from home income plans in future years.

At present there is no UK savings account that will give top-rate taxpayers a real return on their savings, according to...

Equity release body welcomes Labour's social care plans

07-04-2010 11:06 - Equity release body welcomes Labour's social care plansA trade body for the equity release sector has welcomed the current government's plans in regard to social care for the elderly.

Andrea Rozario, director general of Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP), said an ageing population and failing pensions means that this issue needs to be addressed...

Equity release 'could attract 1 in 3 babyboomers'

06-04-2010 11:10 - Equity release 'could attract 1 in 3 babyboomers'A significant proportion of the 'babyboomer' generation may be set to benefit from equity release schemes, a new poll suggests.

Almost one in three (31 per cent) babyboomers say they plan to move house in order to change their lifestyle and free-up cash for retirement, according to a...

Home income plans may appeal to 'more sensible' younger generation

01-04-2010 10:52 - Home income plans may appeal to 'more sensible' younger generationWider consumer awareness of personal finance options such as home income plans may be set to increase after a new survey revealed that young people are becoming more savvy when it comes to money matters.

British teenagers are emerging from the recession with more money sense, according to...