Overview
Retirement today comes with more choices, more uncertainty, and more reason to understand how your home equity can support the life you want. This blog introduces HomeEquity Bank’s upcoming free educational webinar, “Protect It, Use It, Live It: Your Home Equity Playbook,” hosted by Equity Advocate Sue Pimento. With over 25 years of experience in banking, mortgages, retirement, and financial education, Sue will walk Canadian homeowners through how to evaluate home equity options, recognize when borrowing does and does not make sense, and approach retirement decisions with clarity and confidence. Topics include comparing equity options, the role of emergency funds, reverse mortgage basics, and navigating the financial realities of retirement today.
Retirement Has Changed — And So Has the Conversation Around Home Equity
Retirement used to look more straightforward. You worked, you saved, you stopped working. But the retirement that most Canadians are stepping into today is longer, more expensive, and less predictable than previous generations ever anticipated.
According to the 2025 Canadian Retirement Survey by HOOPP and Abacus Data, 49% of Canadians are concerned about outliving their retirement savings, and 66% of unretired Canadians expect to continue working in retirement to support themselves financially.
At the same time, for many Canadian homeowners, their home has become their most significant financial asset. As Kalkine Media notes, the conversation around housing and retirement is shifting — from “How much is your house worth?” to “How can your housing wealth support retirement income?” — with financial planners increasingly recognizing that for many Canadians, their largest retirement asset is not an investment account, but their home.
Knowing your home has equity is one thing. Knowing how to protect it, use it wisely, and make decisions you feel confident about is another. That is exactly what this webinar is designed to help you do.
Meet Sue Pimento, Equity Advocate
Sue Pimento brings more than 25 years of experience in banking, mortgages, retirement, and financial education to this session. As an Equity Advocate at HomeEquity Bank, Sue is passionate about helping Canadian homeowners make informed decisions — not rushed ones. Her approach is educational, balanced, and designed to give you the clarity you need to evaluate your options without pressure.
What You Will Learn
This is a practical session built around the questions homeowners are actually asking. Here is what Sue will cover:
- The journey of home equity options — from HELOCs and Manulife One to downsizing, rental income, and reverse mortgages, with a clear look at the trade-offs of each
- When using home equity makes sense — and how to protect enough of it for future needs
- When using equity is the wrong move — what situations borrowing cannot solve, and how to recognize them
- The emergency fund rule — why having one matters and how it helps protect your long-term financial security
- Reverse mortgages: what you actually need to know — the basics, the benefits, the limitations, and the common myths
- Making the call — how to move from “maybe” to a confident, informed yes or no
The session will close with a live Q&A, so you can bring your own questions and leave with answers that apply to your situation.
Why This Webinar Is Worth Your Time
Home equity decisions are not one-size-fits-all, and they rarely come with a clear instruction manual. This session is not a sales pitch — it is an education session built around helping you understand your options so you can make the right choice for your home, your retirement, and your peace of mind.
Whether you are just beginning to think about how your home fits into your retirement plan, or you are already weighing specific options and want to feel more informed before making a move, this webinar was designed with you in mind.
Spots are limited. Reserve your free spot today to learn how home equity can become part of a thoughtful retirement strategy, and how you can plan your retirement with confidence. Reserve your spot here.
FAQ Section
1. Who is this webinar for?
This webinar is designed for Canadian homeowners aged 55 and over who want to better understand how their home equity fits into their retirement plan. Whether you are curious about your options, actively comparing products, or simply want to feel more confident before making any decisions, this session is built for you.
2. Is the webinar free to attend?
Yes. This is a free, educational session hosted by HomeEquity Bank. There is no cost to register or attend.
3. What is a reverse mortgage and will it be covered in the webinar?
A reverse mortgage is a product that allows Canadian homeowners aged 55 and over to access a portion of their home equity as tax-free cash, with no required monthly payments. The loan is repaid when you sell your home, move out, or the last borrower passes away. Sue will cover reverse mortgages during the webinar, including how they work, their benefits and limitations, and common misconceptions.
4. Will there be a chance to ask questions during the session?
Yes. The webinar closes with a live Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to ask Sue questions directly and get answers relevant to their own situation.
5. What if I cannot attend live?
We encourage you to register even if you are uncertain about your availability. Check the registration page for details on recordings or future session dates.