I was reading an article on the RE/MAX website for its agents and came across the following article which I found interesting and thought others might also.

Retirees are House Rich, Savings Poor

Not only do most people in or near retirement plan to keep their current home, they also don't plan on tapping the large equity stake they have in their home. A recent Harris Interactive poll found older Americans feel relatively financially secure about their homes, but worry about other financial matters. Most retirees see home ownership as a financial cushion; 73 percent say they'll keep their current home rather than sell or even downsize. That could actually have a positive effect on today's housing market if significantly fewer homes come to a market awash in unsold inventories. The index also shows that only 21 percent of those still working, but just five years from retirement, also plan to keep their current home.