An elderly debt

Research by Key Retirement Solutions, an equity release company, has found that one in three people aged over-55 still have a mortgage debt to pay back.

The average owed by people approaching or having reached retirement age is still £37,316. Even in the over-70s age group, 29 per cent have loans secured against the value of their property.

Dean Mirfin, business development director at Key Retirement Solutions, said: "Whilst this analysis is based on those who have released equity from their home, if this is only part reflective of pensioners as a whole, then this is of huge concern.

"The rising cost of living is increasingly affecting all of us today, but it is the older generations that are feeling the pinch more than others. With new estimates from Age Concern putting the number of pensioner households living in fuel poverty at 2.25 million, with an estimated 250,000 pensioner households pushed into fuel poverty by the price rises this year alone, many have little income left to enjoy their twilight years."

Nearly two-thirds (62 per cent) of retired couples have a total pension income of less than £10,000, falling to less than £6,000 for half of single pensioners - so for younger people who say that they are 'too young' to be thinking about contributing to a pension plan, perhaps they should discuss their future budgeting with their grandparents. They can explain how the costs of mortgage or rent, utility bills and home insurance premiums all add up to leave no chance to save, whatever stage of your life you are at.

11/06/2008 14:24:00