Charity doesn't begin at home

Paying off your mortgage, saving and passing on an inheritance has been the objective of many of today's over 50s. However research published by Saga Equity Release shows that 90% of children do not expect an inheritance and 72% are happy for their parents to use the equity from their home to enjoy their retirement...within reason.

Close to two thirds (62%) of children surveyed don't mind how their parents spend the money from equity release. However there were some purchases that children felt were just too frivolous. One fifth (18%) would not like them to squander it on a speedboat and 16% would disapprove of ‘their inheritance' being spent on charitable donations.

The survey also found that men are more resistant to their parents spending money from equity release, with close to 3 times as many not happy for them to use it for medical treatment or heating and fuel costs than women.

Whilst generally approving of their parents spending their own money, 68% of children surveyed did concede that their expected inheritance would make a difference to their life. And, historically, with house price increases way above inflation, it is perhaps less surprising that 18 to 34 year olds plan to use any future inheritance to get a foot on the property ladder (20%). Whilst for this age group it's unlikely they will inherit in the near future, it could be possible for parents to release equity and give their children that all important deposit when they are able to really appreciate it. In fact 28% of this demographic openly admitted their desire for a ‘living inheritance'.

Based on the UK average house price, £177,351, a 65 year-old could release up to £55,000 from their property, which could be a substantial boost onto the property ladder for their children or provide a comfortable sum to help enhance retirement.

Andrew Goodsell, Chief Executive of SAGA Group, commented, "The new generation of retirees are bucking tradition and no longer believe their children have an automatic right to inheritance. They are using the money from equity release to enjoy their retirement."