There are many reasons why people choose equity release to help fund their retirement plans.

Equity release - taking out a new mortgage against the home - is one way to put some of that wealth to use.

Still, as you say, equity release would still be an option later on.

The role of Aviva's advisers is simple - to help you understand equity release and the products they offer.

Financial services firms would offer products to help individuals pay for their care costs, including "insurance, equity release, pensions and savings".

Here are 10 tips to bear in mind when considering equity release:

Typical equity release scheme interest rates are about 7pc - or double the going rate for conventional home loans.

A resurgence in the equity release market has been the introduction of interest only lifetime mortgages.

Shared appreciation mortgages are a form of equity release.

We are both in reasonably good health, and I realise that the longer we live, the more significant equity release becomes.

During the second meeting your adviser will make a recommendation as to whether equity release is right for you or not based on your circumstances.

Government plans criticised for lack of detail over equity release schemes designed for older people.

A reverse mortgage is a form of equity release (or lifetime mortgage).

The UK equity release market is now fully regulated.

Equity release and remortgage service also offered.

This guarantees, among other important safeguards, that equity release borrowers can stay in their own home as long as they live.

For further details, see equity release.

In 2007 they established a non-profit individual voluntary arrangement service and 2010 launched a free equity release advice service.

John Redwood this morning on Radio 4 has suggested the use of equity release - previously referenced by his party as a "a death tax"

Aviva has a team of over 60 experienced equity release advisers across the UK ready to talk to you about the products they sell.

Equity release providers say the widening gap between mortgage costs is because of very low Bank of England base rates.

Steve Groves is chief executive of Partnership, an insurance company that sells specialist annuities, long-term care and equity release plans.

Lenders argue, with some reason, that they need to charge more for equity release schemes because they do not know when they will be paid back.

Girlings is a company specialising in retirement rentals, which it offers as the ultimate equity release, a retirement from mortgages.

Retirees in Britain now own a remarkable £769.8 billion worth of property, according to research by Key Retirement Solutions, an equity release company.