Real life story

Like many retired couples, Mark and Marguerite Johnson found that they had less money than they would have liked after retiring. Mark, 67, was banking on selling his jewellery business to fund his retirement, but then his plans changed. “My younger son found he really enjoyed working in the jewellery trade and decided to take it over instead, so I passed it on to him.” Mark and Marguerite had state pensions and a couple of private schemes, but needed more money. “We’d read about it in the paper and it sounded like it could be a solution for us,” said Mark. They contacted Key Retirement and were impressed with their service. “They laid out exactly what our options were and did not give us the hard sell at all, as so many companies do these days. They were genuinely interested in finDInG tHE BEst optIon For us AnD our circumstances,” he added. The couple borrowed £125,000 against the value of their home last year and have never looked back. “Equity release has eased our money problems, allowing us to pAy off our rEmAInInG mortGAGE as well as make some home improvements. We’ve also had a few holidays, including a trip to Florida.” The couple talked over their decision with their two sons who agreed that it was the right thing to do. “They said it’s your money, you have earned it, and you should make your future easier,” says Mark. Mr and Mrs Johnson, Sussex