RESEARCH from propertyfinder.com has revealed 52 per cent of homeowners plan to downsize their homes in retirement to release equity tied up in their property as a subsidy to a pension.

The survey also found six per cent plan to stay in their own home but want to use an equity release product to supplement their income.

On average, retirees want to release £112,000 of equity by trading down the housing ladder.

This could provide an additional annual income of around £8,000, twice the single person's basic state pension.