A looming uncertainty among future retirees continues to be whether or not they have secured enough savings to live comfortably during their post-working years. 

Yet the number that plan to use home equity as a means to help financial security in retirement has actually risen in recent years, according to Ameriprise Financial’s Retirement Check-In. 

That proportion is now near half, Ameriprise reports, up from 39% surveyed pre-recession. 

“It appears that many are relying on the value of their houses to help,” Ameriprise writes. “Nearly half of respondents (47%) expect to use equity in their homes to help fund their retirement — a statistic that may come as a surprise, given that housing values remain well below prerecession levels in many parts of the country.”

The causes of the shift are unknown, but the research speculates that the home may be the last place for some to turn when it comes to sustaining retirement living. 

In addition to relying on home equity, many of those surveyed also reported working in retirement as another means to help provide. 

Of soon-to-be retirees, 68% plan on continued employment as a protective measure against unexpected illness or disability that might arise, expenses likely to consume considerable portions of savings.  

“While the data shows there are numerous disconnects between how Americans are thinking about and planning for their retirement, it also reveals that the majority are aware of these gaps,” writes the study’s authors.

Written by Jason Oliva