16th September 2014

LV=Brits in their 60s own a quarter of all uk property wealth

People in their 60s own a quarter of all property wealth in the UK equating to £993 billion.

Half (52%) of those in their 60s are now considering accessing cash from their property to help fund their retirement.  

Close to 200,000 of those aged 55 and over have released cash from their property or downsized in the past 12 months as part of their retirement plans. 

More and more[ii] Brits approaching retirement are planning to use bricks and mortar to help fund their retirement. 

According to LV=’s annual HIPpies “home is pension” report, which looks at retirees using their property to pay for retirement, Brits in their sixties own a quarter of Britain’s £4.01trillion[iii] property wealth, totalling £993 billion. The report found that the value of the average property owned by sixty-somethings is £272,000 - £6,000 higher than the national average. Three quarters (75%) of people within this age group are mortgage free, and one in 12 (8%) own a second home.

The rise in people using their property to fund their retirement is likely to have been driven by increasing house values over a long period, combined with the low interest rates available on savings that has reduced retirement income. Indeed, with just one in sixteen (6%) homeowners over 50 stating that the value of their home has decreased in recent years, it is perhaps no surprise that half (52%) of those in their sixties and nearly two thirds (63%) of those in their late fifties[iv] are considering accessing money from their property to help fund their lifestyle in retirement.

For some near retirees unlocking the capital in their home is driven by a need to cover day-to-day essential costs in retirement. According to retirement specialist LV=, a fifth (19%) of homeowners in their late fifties[v] plan to use the equity in their main residence because they have not saved enough into their pension.

In the past 12 months alone, 114,000[vi] of those aged 55 and over have taken out equity release[vii], with a further 76,000[viii] having freed up cash in their property by downsizing. As well as allowing retirees to pay for once in a lifetime holidays and luxury purchases, some access the capital locked up in their home to pay off their mortgage and existing debts. Of those who have released equity from their home, four in 10 (38%) said that the cash will be used to supplement their retirement income and 4% will use the money to cover their own care costs.  

Industry figures show that demand for equity release has risen by 35% this year and the pensions changes set to be introduced next year are likely to increase the number of people who become ‘HIPpies’ when they stop working. From next April, retirees can choose to take their pension savings as a lump sum, but as the average pension pot is less than £30,000[ix] this money is unlikely to go far. As one of the largest assets many have when they reach retirement, property and the capital tied up in it looks set to play a larger role in retirement funding for retirees.

Richard Rowney, Managing Director of Life & Pensions at LV= said: “Small pension pots, a lack of retirement savings, and the continuous rise in house prices are undoubtedly factors that have led to a rise in the number of people using their home to boost their retirement income. Indeed, if someone has lived in their property for a long time the capital they can access from it will often outweigh the pensions savings they have. With people spending longer in retirement one of the challenges that many will need to overcome is how to fund it and how to meet the financial demands they may face in later life, including long-term care and the money tied up in their home may present them with a solution. 

“There are numerous ways that retirees can access the capital tied up in their home including deciding to downsize or take out equity release. For those considering unlocking the money in their home it is important to seek professional advice and explore all of the options available to them.”

Why not find out how LV= can help you help your clients.  Call the LV= Retirement Desk on 08000 850250 and speak with one of our specialist Retirement Consultants to learn more.

Retirement