Council tax soars by 91% in last decade

Key Retirement Solutions has discovered that over the last 10 years, average council tax bills in England have risen by 91%.
This is over three times the increase in average pensioners income, which has only risen by 29%, from £11,700 to £15,132, and highlights the growing affordability problems over 65s are experiencing.

Pensioners in the east of England - 108.80% - and South-East - 106.52% - were hit by the highest increases while those in the North West - 68.30% - and Yorkshire and Humberside - 79.41% - saw the lowest rises.

Somewhat surprisingly when house prices are taken into account, over 65s in London had the lowest levels of council tax in England in 2004/05 at £1119.

However, this is likely to change if the planned rebanding of properties for council tax purposes takes place.

Dean Mirfin, business development director of Key Retirement Solutions, says: “We are all concerned about the rising cost of council tax but pensioners who tend to have a fixed income are particularly vulnerable.

"A pensioner who lives in the average band D property in England will see council tax eat up almost a tenth of their gross annual income making their life much more financially difficult.

“High levels of council tax and the prospect of significant increases if the rebanding process occurs are a great cause of concern for today’s generation of retirees.

"Not only are some still paying off mortgages and other debts but they also expect more out of their retirement than previous generations.

“However, with the high levels of equity held in property by the over 65s, there is tremendous scope for today’s retirees to use equity release to boost their disposable income.

"Equity release is however not suitable for all retirees and people need to discuss all their options and alternatives with an specialist independent financial adviser before choosing this route.”