If an equity release product isn't for you, then there are several ways in which you can release value from an asset without using a commercial equity release product.
The amount you would get if you sold an asset and paid back any money you owed on it. For example, if you have a house worth $350,000, and a $300,000 mortgage, your equity in your house is $50,000.
An asset is a useful or valuable person or thing. In financial terms it's an item that can be converted into cash such as bank deposits, shares or property.