Retirement Compass Report – Mark Gregory, Equity Release Group

22 September 2026

Mark Gregory, Founder & CEO at Equity Release Group

This latest research makes a compelling case for bringing housing wealth into the retirement conversation. The finding that 65% of single female homeowner households aged 55–79 fall below the moderate retirement living standard, despite holding average housing wealth of £225,000, shows why looking at pension income alone can leave an incomplete picture.

The question we now need to ask is whether consumers and advisers have the understanding and support to explore what that housing wealth could mean for their retirement.

For mortgage brokers, this is particularly relevant. Their customers already come to them with questions about borrowing, refinancing and their future financial plans. Those conversations provide an opportunity to consider how their needs may change as they approach retirement, and where specialist advice could help.

It doesn’t mean every broker needs to become a lifetime mortgage specialist. It does mean recognising when later life lending might be relevant and having a clear route into specialist advice, whether through a trusted referral relationship or by developing the capability to advise themselves. Housing wealth should be considered alongside other resources and options, including downsizing, with individual circumstances determining the appropriate course.

This is part of the thinking behind TERN – The Equity Release Network. By providing technology, training, support and infrastructure, we help advisers build specialist later life lending into the way they serve their customers. Making that expertise more accessible is a practical contribution towards closing the gaps between different areas of advice.

The industry has spoken for some time about breaking down advice silos, and this research reinforces why that matters. Consumers want to understand how they are going to fund the next stage of their lives. They should be able to explore their pensions, savings and housing wealth as part of a connected conversation, with a clear understanding of the benefits, costs and implications of the options available.

The advisers who can support that wider conversation, either by providing the expertise themselves or connecting customers to it, will be better placed to meet the needs of an ageing population. Starting those conversations earlier gives customers more time to understand their choices and plan with confidence.