SHIP ('Safe Home Income Plans') was formed in 1991 in an attempt to improve the equity release market and its previous poor reputation. The SHIP guarantees include a guaranteed right to remain living in the property which is the subject of the equity release, either for life or until entry into long term care. In addition there is a vital No Negative Equity Guarantee - which essentially guarantees that the amount to repay the equity release plan on death or entry into long term care can never exceed the value of the property itself, and so no debt can ever be left behind for beneficiaries of the equity release borrower. In 2012, SHIP rebranded as the Equity Release Council (ERC) and extended its reach to Equity Release advisers as well as product providers.

The current members of the Equity Release Council include Aviva, Bridgewater, Hodge Lifetime, Just Retirement, LV=, More 2 Life, New Life, Partnership, Retirement Plus and Stonehaven.