If you turn on the news for more than a minute you will no doubt hear talk about the economy shrinking, quarter by quarter. The collective output of the UK is getting smaller by the month and doom and gloom is predicted. One industry that does seem to be recession proof, however, is the equity release industry. As regular mortgages dry up to all but those with enormous deposits; equity release is growing at a very steady rate. More and more people are turning to their home as a viable means of retirement planning. One logical reason for this would be the instability of the financial markets and the low interest rates. This combination leaves little room to make your savings go to work. One way people are guaranteeing a steady source of income is to tap into their biggest asset, their home. In this market, it looks the ever more sensible option.