Equity plans will work if markets keep rising.

Errm, I think we are living (again) in the proof that this is not a realistic expectation.

Property investment is not a bad wheeze, as if the population rises so must relative values of property - "Buy land, they aren't making it any more".

But property was being pushed up because people realised pensions are unworkable. The investors plans relies on them ALL cashing in their houses for cash - whioh, when it happens, depresses the market. Another variant of a Ponzi scheme.