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Demographic Change and Retirement Planning: Comparing Households’ Views on the Role of Housing Equity in Germany and the UK

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  • Anwen Jones
  • Tim Geilenkeuser
  • Ilse Helbrecht
  • Deborah Quilgars

Abstract

As states across Europe come under pressure to meet the needs of ageing populations, there has been increasing interest in the potential role of housing equity in funding welfare provision. This paper draws on the findings of a European study, Demographic Change and Housing Wealth (DEMHOW), which set out to explore whether housing plays a role in retirement planning. This paper compares the views of homeowners in Germany and the UK. The former is a country where homeownership is the minority tenure and the preserve of affluent households, and where house prices have been stagnant for years. The latter is a country of homeownership where half the poor are home owners, and where real house price increases over many decades have served to establish the belief that homeownership is one of the best investments accessible to ordinary people. In addition, ‘equity release’ is more common, and related products better developed, in the UK than in Germany. Given these differences, it might be assumed UK homeowners would be more willing to consider utilising housing equity to supplement their income in retirement than their German counterparts. This paper sets out to explore whether this is the case.

Suggested Citation

  • Anwen Jones & Tim Geilenkeuser & Ilse Helbrecht & Deborah Quilgars, 2012. "Demographic Change and Retirement Planning: Comparing Households’ Views on the Role of Housing Equity in Germany and the UK," International Journal of Housing Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(1), pages 27-45.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:intjhp:v:12:y:2012:i:1:p:27-45
    DOI: 10.1080/14616718.2012.651299
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    Cited by:

    1. Sharma, Tripti & French, Declan & McKillop, Donal, 2022. "The UK equity release market: Views from the regulatory authorities, product providers and advisors," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    2. Declan French & Donal McKillop & Tripti Sharma, 2017. "Analysis of Housing Equity Withdrawal by its Forms," CHaRMS Working Papers 17-04, Centre for HeAlth Research at the Management School (CHaRMS).
    3. Florian Bartsch & Florian Buhlmann & Karolin Kirschenmann & Carolin Schmidt, 2021. "Is There a Need for Reverse Mortgages in Germany? Empirical Evidence and Policy Implications," EconPol Policy Reports 31, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.

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