The changing face of Equity Release

Having worked as IFAs we know what it takes to build relationships .  Our mission is to support you and your client through your advice process.   We will be your trusted partner and advise your client in line with the Equity Release Council Standards and the FCA's new Consumer Duty standards.  We'll work with you and support you and your clients though this important decision making process.

Areas of financial planning where equity release can be of assistance:

Inheritance Tax Planning.

Do your clients have an IHT liability that needs some consideration?  How can you reduce their potential bill?  

A lifetime mortgage will be a debt that's registered against the estate at probate, so can help reduce the liability.  The funds could be used to either gift to family, pay for care or potentially as alternative to pension drawdown.*

Provision for care costs.

Has your client depleted their savings?  Are you now looking for a way for them to continue to maintain the care they're currently receiving either in their own home or in residential care?

An equity release plan could offer a solution (perhaps paired with an annuity) to provide sufficient funds to cover those on-going care costs.

Protecting pensions.

Would your client prefer to delay accessing their pension funds?  Might it be more tax efficient for them to leave them where they are for now?  Or have their fund values fallen short of where they'd like them to be?

Using equity release to bridge the income gap could be a consideration.  It might present a method of helping protect a pension fund that's outside an estate by drawing on other assets initially.*

Gifting

Have your clients expressed a desire to help their family?  Would they prefer to not have to crystalize any losses or gains on their investments?

Using some of the funds that are tied up in their property might be a sensible alternative to consider.  Whether it's to help fund a holiday home purchase, to help children or grandchildren with a property purchase or to cover the costs of private education for family we can help.

*Please note, we are not experts in the provision of IHT or pension planning.  We rely on our partners to make suitable recommendations in line with the regulatory guidelines and we do not accept any responsibility for advice given in these areas.