Drawdown

MetLife Europe will host a series of webchats and presentations for advisers, building on the launch of its Retirement Portfolio.

Just Retirement is suspending upfront fees on its equity release mortgage range until the end of 2008.

Advisers are reporting an upturn in equity release enquiries during the last three months, according to research from Hodge Equity Release.

Defaqto has upgraded its IFA research tools to provide improved functionality for post-retirement product queries.

The equity release industry has bucked market trends to record a rise in business volumes during the second quarter of 2008.

Just Retirement says more advisers need to offer equity release products and says it will continue efforts to assist those wishing to enter the market.

Demand for equity release products fell during the first quarter of 2008, possibly due to uncertain economic conditions, according to Key Retirement Solutions (KRS).

Intermediary sales of equity release products grew 25% in 2007, according to figures from Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP).

The popularity of equity release plans is increasing among the British population and a greater share of business is coming from intermediaries, according to Key Retirement Solutions (KRS).

Tomorrow, the at and post retirement specialist, has extended its drawdown offering to allow transfers between both Protected Rights USP contracts and Protected Rights ASP contracts.