Equity Release Council responds to the SPP's 'Home Truths'

13 August 2026

Jim Boyd, chief executive of the Equity Release Council, responding to the Society of Pensions Professionals Home Truths, said:

“The Society for Pension Professionals is right to highlight that housing and pensions can no longer be treated as separate policy challenges. Housing wealth is not a substitute for adequate pension saving, but it is a significant asset for millions of homeowners and needs to be considered in unison with pensions, savings and investments when planning for retirement. Fairer Finance modelling found that by 2040, 51% of UK households aged over 60 could benefit from accessing their housing wealth to support their later life spending needs.

“The challenge is ensuring people can consider all of their assets when making retirement decisions, rather than being channelled into separate advice silos. The FCA’s recognition of later life lending as the ‘fourth pillar’ reinforces the need for a more joined-up approach. Good outcomes must come before products, with consumers given access to clear guidance and advice to understand how their assets can work together throughout later life, something upheld in the Council standards. We welcome the SPP’s calls for greater integration and would welcome the opportunity to work further with government, regulators and industry to turn that ambition into practical change.”