This could lead a number of people approaching retirement age to seek equity release advice on how the value of their home could provide a welcome boost to their retirement funds.

According to financial news provider Thisismoney.co.uk, high earners would face being taxed twice if they decide to continue adding to their pension pots after the 40 per cent tax relief is scrapped.

Laith Khalaf, a pensions analyst at Hargreaves Landsdown, told the news provider that the Lib Dems wouldn’t have to fight too hard to get their policy added to the legislative agenda as it could potentially save the government £5.5 billion per year.

"One Lib Dem policy that won’t take too much persuasion to get onto the legislative agenda will be the abolition of higher rate tax relief," he said.

"This would save the Treasury £5.5 billion a year and any collateral damage to the pension system could be laid at the Liberal Democrat door. We could be entering the final few weeks of higher rate tax relief on pension contributions."

Homeowners that are concerned about the future of the UK pensions landscape can find out how the value of their home could boost their finances with the equity release calculator provided by Key Retirement Solutions.

Posted by Claire Ford

This could encourage a number of people to look into equity release plans as a way of boosting their retirement income.

During last week’s televised election debate, prime minister Gordon Brown said: "Our four-year deficit reduction plans include a rise in the top rate of tax above £100,000, taking away pension tax reliefs for those above £100,000 at a higher rate and a National Insurance rise."

However, this represented a change when compared to the Labour Party’s current proposals to cut the tax relief for those earning more than £130,000.

The party’s press office told Money Marketing that Mr Brown has just had a "slip of the tongue", but the prime minister repeated the suggestion during an interview with the BBC’s Jeremey Paxman later that week.

Tom McPhail, head of pensions research at Hargreaves Lansdown, told Money Marketing: "Clearly, the fact that Gordon Brown stated that higher-rate pension tax relief will be cut for people earning over £100,000, then reiterated that message means we have to assume that if re-elected Labour will cut tax relief for those earning over £100,000."

A number of people approaching retirement age could now look into lifetime mortgages, which can provide a homeowner with a regular income, as a way of boosting their retirement funds.

Posted by Christian O’Leary

This could lead a number of retired people to turn to products such as lifetime mortgages in a bid to ensure a comfortable income.

Reverand Dr John Strain from campaign organisation Save our Savers, said despite accounting for years of work, the manifestos of the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties show a "flagrant disregard" for the plight of the UK’s 24 million savers.

"The task, of course, is to ensure that the next government of our country realises the crucial role savings will play in securing our economic recovery. The culture of unchecked debt and irresponsibly cheap credit has to end," he said.

"There were some nods in the right direction for savers by the main three parties in their manifesto and it is important we recognise these."

Homeowners that are concerned about their retirement finances could receive a welcome financial boost using money from their property assets with an equity release plan from Key Retirement Solutions.

Posted by David Hancock

A number of people could now be inspired to see how a lifetime mortgagecould benefit them after Age UK accused the Tories of "shying away" from the challenges of an ageing society.

Michelle Mitchell, charity director of the group, which combines Age Concern and Help the Aged, said: "Voluntary insurance to pay for care at home‚ the possibility of abolishing the Default Retirement Age and the protection of existing age-related entitlements are modest steps forward.

"The Tories’ manifesto fails to address the big challenges facing our ageing society on care‚ health‚ poverty and warm homes."

Homeowners who are concerned about how they are going to fund their retirement needs can see how much cash an equity release plan will generate by seeking equity release advice from Key Retirement Solutions.

Posted by Richard Planner

The measures are expected to allow millions of UK citizens the opportunity to save for their retirement.

Angela Eagle, minister of state for pensions and the ageing society, claimed the package was necessary as the private pensions market remained unobtainable to many workers.

"This is a fair and sensible funding package which delivers the Pensions Commission’s vision of a low cost scheme in an affordable way," she said.

"It balances the needs of members, taxpayers and the interest of the broader pensions industry. Market failure for low and moderate earners means they have not had access to a suitable low cost pension scheme and have not been able to save for their retirement. NEST will put this right."

People who have invested in property could also boost their retirement income with funds from an equity release scheme.

Such policies allow homeowners to access cash that may be tied up in their assets.

This is the view of Liberal Democrat treasury spokesman Vince Cable, who said "sluggish growth and comparatively high inflation are a serious concern".

Mr Cable’s comments follow the publication of the Bank of England’s latest quarterly inflation report, which revealed that inflation has risen sharply to 2.9 per cent.

Commenting on proposals to cut back on public spending, Mr Cable said: "With growth still weak it would be a foolish error to slash spending now and risk pushing the economy back into recession."

He added: "In this climate it is essential that decisions about the speed and timing of tackling the deficit are based on the state of the economy, not political dogma."

Fears of a double dip recession could lead a number of homeowners looking to ensure their financial stability by realising the potential of the value of their assets.

Schemes such as equity release can allow for cash to be drawn against the value of a person’s property.

Workshops will be held in London, Manchester and Nottingham to "emphasise the importance of securing good governance through having the right people and processes".

The poor handling of some schemes throughout the economic downturn, which saw many pensions closed, could lead to a number of people turning to schemes such as equity release to boost their retirement funds.

Such policies allow homeowners to free up some of the cash tied in to their property investments.

The Pension Regulator said the workshops "will illustrate key governance issues".

Edinburgh will host the first of the half-day events at the Best Western Edinburgh Capital Hotel on February 23rd.

Two further workshops will be held at the Merchant Taylors Hall in London on March 2nd and the Nottingham Crowne Plaza on March 9th.

From February 1st, Lawrence Churchill will head the UK-wide pension fund and assist in recruiting other trustee members.

"I am delighted to be appointed as the chair of the NEST Corporation," said Mr Churchill of his appointment.

"Setting up a trust-based, occupational pension scheme, with millions of members, is going to be a major undertaking, and I look forward to being able to play a major part in this radical change to workplace entitlements," he added.

NEST was designed to provide an occupational pension to those who do not have access to adequate workplace schemes.

Employees who are not offered attractive schemes may also look into additional ways of funding their retirement such as equity release programmes.

Homeowners who take out such policies can use cash from the value of their property assets to boost their finances.

The Department of Work and Pensions has announced that many workers will have at least 90 per cent of their pensions guaranteed after their employers "went bust".

Angela Eagle, minister of state for pensions, said: "The government is completing its promise to provide a just and final settlement for those who lost pension savings when their employers went bust.

"There can be few greater cruelties than to find the pension you have earned has suddenly disappeared through no fault of your own."

Despite the mass payout, concerns about the fragility of the economy could see a number of employees seeking additional ways of funding their retirement as a security measures.

This could lead to an increase in the popularity of equity release schemes which can boost the income of a property owner with funds taken from the value of their home.

Mr Dasupta said he was very pleased to accept the role and claimed last year’s record public demand for an independent information service showed a "growing need" for the Pensions Advisory Service to exist.

The growing demand for information could be attributed to volatility in the pensions market during the economic downturn when many schemes were closed and high profile liabilities gaps were exposed.

“Our network of volunteers and professional staff are respected by the pensions industry and we believe we offer real value for money," added Mr Dasgupta.

Volatility in the pensions market could result in a number of people looking to fund their retirement through additional schemes such as equity release.

Through such policies, homeowners can supplement their income with funds drawn from the value of their property.