Some facts are irrefutable: today’s older generation is sitting on an arsenal of property wealth that belies its dogged frugality; retirement incomes (and savings) are in declinel; the cost of living for the future generation is rising exponentially.

These persuasive arguments should have long since one the debate, advocates would argue, especially since the bullish product models that left savers exposed to negative equity and so scandalised the product in the 1980s and 90s are no more.

But despite frequent predictions of an imminent explosion in interest in the product, it has remained comparatively peripheral.

A steady rise in sales over the past two years that has accelerated since 2013 is giving rise to the view that equity release is set to breakthrough into the mainstream, especially in the wake of a Budget pensions overhaul that has all but annihilated annuities and left advisers looking for alternatives.

This special report will review where equity release sits in the current market, what product options are available, and asks the question of whether pensioners will finally begin to unload that potent dry powder of wealth in the years to come.

This special report is sponsored by Aviva. For product information, click here.

All editorial is independent.