Thinking about offering equity release advice? Here’s what you need to know first

If you’re a financial adviser looking to expand your services, you might be wondering: should I be offering equity release advice?

Several market insights suggest that more clients are exploring ways to unlock property wealth in retirement, generating new opportunities for qualified advisers.

According to a research published by Fairer Finance earlier this year, more than half of retirees may need to use their housing wealth to fund their retirement by 2024. Hargreaves Lansdown’s analysis shows that only 43% of households are on track for an adequate retirement income, this is also supported by the latest National Retirement Forecast (NRF) from Scottish Widows suggesting that 40% of Brits struggle to meet basic needs in retirement.

These pension shortfalls, together with unexpected life events like divorce or health conditions are driving more clients to explore equity release for very practical reasons: supplementing their retirement income, managing rising living costs, funding home improvements, clearing existing mortgages or debts, paying for long term care and increasingly, helping family members through gifts or deposits.

For advisers, this creates a clear opportunity to support clients with a holistic later life financial strategy that fully considers the value locked in their homes.

In this article, we break down everything you need to know before offering advice, from qualifications and compliance to client suitability and sourcing tools.

Why offer equity release advice?

Equity release is an increasingly popular solution for clients seeking flexibility in later life. Lifetime mortgages allow homeowners aged 55+ to release tax-free cash from their property without having to move, with no mandatory monthly repayments.

Adding equity release advice to your services can help you:

• Meet growing client demand in the later life lending market
• Increase your earning potential and diversify your proposition
• Strengthen long-term client relationships across generations
• Offer tailored, regulated advice that truly makes a difference 

Is equity release advice right for you?

Equity release isn’t just a niche product - it’s part of a growing conversation about how clients fund retirement, help family members, or stay in the homes they love.

By offering this advice, you can deliver meaningful impact in later life financial planning while working with clients at a deeply personal and rewarding level.

You’ll need the right equity release qualification

To legally offer equity release advice in the UK, you must hold the correct qualifications and be FCA-authorised. Here's what you need:

1. A mortgage qualification

Most advisers hold CeMAP (Certificate in Mortgage Advice) or equivalent Level 3 mortgage advice qualification.

2. An equity release qualification

To advise specifically on this product set, choose one of these FCA-recognised courses:

• CeRER – Certificate in Regulated Equity Release (via LIBF)
• ER1 (typically alongside CF6) – Equity Release module (via CII)

These qualifications cover product knowledge, regulation, client needs and compliance, and can usually be completed in as little as a few weeks.

Understand client suitability

Offering equity release advice isn’t about recommending a product. It’s about assessing whether equity release is the right solution at all for your client’s needs and circumstances.

You’ll need to explore:

• Whether clients have alternative options (e.g. downsizing or other borrowing solutions)
• The impact on state benefits
• How equity release may affect inheritance planning
• The client’s health, lifestyle, and long-term financial goals
• Whether family members or attorneys should be involved in discussions

Suitability is at the heart of FCA-compliant equity release advice. It's your role to ensure clients understand the short- and long-term implications.

Be ready to handle sensitive conversations

Conversations often involve vulnerable or later life clients making significant financial decisions. That means you’ll need strong soft skills – including empathy, patience and clear communication.

You may also be informing or advising in situations involving:

• Power Of Attorney
• Mental capacity assessments
• Discussions about intergenerational wealth

Advisers who thrive in this space are those who can build trust and offer reassurance, not just technical knowledge.

Be fully FCA compliant

All equity release advice must meet the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) standards. This includes:

• Providing clear, fair and not misleading information
• Conducting a thorough suitability assessment
• Producing a compliant suitability report
• Keeping accurate records of all client communications

You can either apply for direct FCA authorisation or become an appointed representative. Many new advisers start under a network to access compliance support and tools.

The right equity release sourcing tool can make the difference

Delivering efficient, accurate advice requires more than product knowledge. You need smart technology to help you compare plans, filter products by client’s needs, and generate compliant documentation.

The right platform will help you:

• Source products from across the market
• Filter products based on LTV, features, client health, and needs
• Generate suitability reports and case documentation
• Save time with pre-built compliance tools and templates

If you're thinking about offering equity release advice, these are the key factors to keep in mind. With the right qualification, a strong understanding of FCA rules and regulations, and access to a range of tools and resources, you’ll be equipped to enter a market with a considerable potential of growth.