New research by Zurich Insurance has shown that people in the UK are not retiring at the expected age, primarily because they have not planned their finances adequately.
Almost two thirds of Brits at retirement age are thinking of remaining at work, with nearly a third also expecting to have to work as they need the money. Another third though are doing it simply to stay active, in both mind and body, which shows how society and lifestyle has changed said a Zurich Insurance spokesman.
There are so many financial pressures in modern society meaning that retirement costs more than ever. This is a realisation that some people are coming to only now said Zurich Insurance, showing how important good pension planning is.
As the cost of living goes higher and higher in the UK so more people are looking at retiring to a different country say Saga Insurance.
A Saga Insurance spokeswoman explained that currently less than 1 percent of those retiring move abroad in order to cut their living costs, though there has been much more interest in the idea recently. It will help those about to retire that their property values are at all time highs. This gives them a good base from which to set up home abroad.
There are many factors to consider when living abroad said the Saga Insurance spokeswoman, with costs being just a part of the equation. Lifestyles are very different overseas and it can sometimes be difficult giving up things that have been part of life for so long.
A study of the retirement market by Saga Insurance has shown that equity release schemes are being used by many people to help boost finances in retirement, helping them do the things they want to do with their time.
Contrasting with a more conservative view a few years ago, around 88 percent of those surveyed by Saga Insurance, now feel equity release is a good idea. In the past the more common view was that the home should be left to children as part of the inheritance.
With nearly 80 percent of those aged 60 and over having paid off their mortgages there is certainly a substantial amount of money available that is tied up in property. The equity release option frees up this money to provide a more pleasant lifestyle.