The lifetime mortgage is useful when income or savings are limited during your retirement. You may be able to free up the capital tied up in the value of your home. Up to 50% of the value can be released depending on your age. No repayments are made to this type of loan. The interest is calculated and repaid either when you sell and downsize to a smaller home, or when you go into sheltered accommodation, long-term care or on your eventual death.
The advantages of lifetime mortgages are: the provision of the initial cash lump sum; a possible reduction in future inheritance tax; and if required a guarantee that the debt will never exceed the value of your home on completion. These types of mortgages are often inflexible and have high early repayment charges. You should be aware that if these are taken out at a relatively young age, or you live a long life, the interest repayments may be very high.