Although many reports are suggesting that the recession in the UK is coming to an end, warning bells have been sounded about future economic crashes.
Former US Federal Reserve chief Alan Greenspan has spoken to the BBC about the future of the world economy and sent a stark warning that recent events would likely happen again.
He blamed every financial crisis on the "unquenchable capability of human beings when confronted with long periods of prosperity to presume that it will continue".
Mr Greenspan added that Britain would "take a long while" to get through the current recession because it is "more globally oriented as an economy" than most other countries.
Many people who are approaching retirement have seen their pensions suffer as a result of the economic crash and for some, finding an alternative source of funding for that time is important.
Equity release can be one way of providing much needed cash for retirees, whether for expensive purchases, dream holidays or even just everyday expenses.
By Steve Leng
