Equity Release & Later-Life Lending
Equity release lets homeowners aged 55+ unlock cash from their property without selling. It is a long-term commitment with real risks, so these guides focus on the trade-offs and on the alternatives you should weigh up first.
Guides in this section
- Equity release explained
What equity release is, the two main types — lifetime mortgages and home reversion — and how interest rolls up over time.
- Equity release: pros and cons
A balanced look at the benefits and the risks of equity release, including the no-negative-equity guarantee and the impact on your estate.
- Equity release alternatives
Downsizing, retirement interest-only mortgages, family loans and using savings — alternatives to consider before releasing equity.
- Lifetime mortgage vs retirement interest-only
How a lifetime mortgage compares to a retirement interest-only (RIO) mortgage, with worked examples of the long-term cost.
- Does equity release affect benefits?
Equity release can affect means-tested benefits like Pension Credit and Council Tax Reduction. Here is how — and what to check first.
- Equity release for care costs
When equity release might fund care at home, the risks, and lower-cost alternatives such as deferred payment agreements with the council.
A note on regulated advice
Equity release is a regulated activity. Anyone arranging it for you must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and a member of the Equity Release Council. The guides on this site are educational — see our financial disclaimer and always take regulated advice before signing anything.