Finance Free for all readers – the Mature Times Guide to Equity release
05/06/2008
In recent years, tens of thousands of people have turned to equity release as a way of unlocking some of the capital tied up in their homes. It might well be something YOU are contemplating too. But is it really the best option for you ... and what are the alternatives and the pitfalls?
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Now out: the new Mature Times guide to retirement - a great starting point to the rest of your life!
If you want to make the very most of your retirement years, then this is the book to help guide you through some of the big decisions you need to make. Written by MT editor Tony Watts, with help from the experts that write for the paper, it provides you with the information you need to make your choices.
Savings protection raised to £50,000
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has increased the compensation limit for bank deposits from £35,000 up to a total of £50,000 for each customer's claim. This increase applies from Tuesday 7 October 2008.
Releasing equity bridges the gap for Huddersfield couple
Not every couple enters retirement with their mortgage cleared, so when one Huddersfield couple were faced with this situation, they looked at all the available options and decided to use some of the equity in their house to pay off all their bills.
This month's advice from the Debt Doctor
A great many people are now facing problems arising from debt. How can you best stop a problem becoming a crisis? Financial journalist Russell Cavanagh is our “Debt Doctor” - here to answer your queries.
More help from the Debt Doctor
A great many people are now facing problems arising from debt. How can you best stop a problem becoming a crisis? Financial journalist Russell Cavanagh is our “Debt Doctor” - here to answer your queries.
Good news if you've ever contracted out of SERPS
Have you contracted out of the State Second Pension or SERPs at any time in the last 20 years? New rules being introduced could allow you to breathe new life into your pension(s) and allow you to consolidate them into a single, easy-to-manage account.
Turn the tide on rising water costs
With some water companies announcing that they would like to raise prices well above inflation, there may be ways to reduce what seem to be ever growing household costs, says water independent watchdog, the Consumer Council for Water.
If you're splashing cash abroad, keep your credit card in your pocket
Taking cash out abroad is never going to be cheap. But the high interest rates applied means that it's advisable never withdraw cash on a credit card either at home or abroad unless it is an absolute emergency, says MT's Debt Doctor Russell Cavanagh.
Equity release puts Yorkshire couple on top down under
The trip of a lifetime is awaiting a South Yorkshire couple later this year – following their decision to release part of the value locked up in their home.
Over 60? Don't miss out on extra cash
Older people are being urged to claim Pension Credit while they may still be able to benefit from up to a year’s backdated lump sum. Many over 60s are still not claiming benefits they may be entitled to and are missing out on additional help - as many as 1.8 million households.
Millions forking out £80 a year for insurance they don't need
Older people could be forking out over £80 a year for mobile phone insurance when their phones could already be covered under their home and contents insurance policy.
Pensions "crushed" by falling house prices
With property prices falling at the fastest rate since the 1990s crash, many older people are seeing their pension hopes diminish before their eyes as they were relying on equity in their homes to support their retirement, leaving some seriously struggling.
Check your tax - you could be in for a rebate
Pensioners on low incomes may find that their usual payment on or after September 7th may be larger than usual - by about £60. It is NOT a mistake.
New website for free check from MT's Benefits Doctor
Mature Times' benefits doctor, Lee Healey, has launched a new pilot project to provide a checking and enabling service to help people claim the correct benefits entitlement and maximize their income.
