‘We like going on cruises, and we will shortly be going on our twelfth!’

Downsizing was never an option for the Dominays, but equity release gave them the retirement they’d always dreamed about

Fife-based couple Michael and Margaret Dominay were lucky enough to retire in their fifties, and had lived in the same house for almost four decades. Former electronics engineer Michael and his wife, a project administrator, were keen to keep enjoying regular holidays in retirement, without losing the home they had loved for 38 years.

‘Downsizing was never really an option for us,’ Michael said, ‘Moving is simply a hassle. We’ve said that if there comes a time when we can’t manage the stairs, we’ll just get a stairlift put in.’

Michael realised that equity release might be the perfect way for the couple to fund a new car and allow them to refurbish the bathroom (not to mention ensuring they could still enjoy foreign holidays).

‘We had both always said that if we needed extra funds we would use the house,’ he said. ‘An adviser from Key came to see us at home, and we were really impressed with the advice we received. He completely put our minds at ease, so we had no worries.’

Both their children had property of their own, but Michael and Margaret spoke to their family so they knew what they were doing.

‘I think in retirement it would be easy just to sit and not get away,’ said Michael. ‘So holidaying is important to us and we tend to take one major holiday for two weeks and one or two smaller ones – a week or extended weekend – every year.

‘We like going on cruises, and will shortly be going on our twelfth, this time to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.’

Michael says he would recommend equity release to anyone in a similar position to him.

‘One of the major benefits of equity release for us is that we can enjoy a very comfortable lifestyle, which we hope will last for many years to come.’

If you are interested in speaking to a Key Equity Release adviser, call 0808 156 9019 or go to keyadvice.co.uk/dailymail.