How is the Key Group different from other later-life lending providers?

The Key Group is one of the United Kingdom’s leading experts in later life lending, and market specialists in equity release. 

It does not just provide financial advice, but solutions to helping retired homeowners unlock wealth tied up in their properties. 

The financial experts at SovereignBoss have spent extensive periods researching and analysing information to bring you the most up-to-date and correct information about later-life lending. 

Here is what we have found about the Key Group!

NOTE: SovereignBoss is an impartial and unconnected third-party information provider via this website, and the details provided in this commentary represent the opinions of SovereignBoss only and may not reflect the views or opinions of Key Group. This article must not be interpreted as advice, nor is it a solicitation to conduct transactions in any financial product provided by Key Group.

What is Equity Release?

Equity release is a financial product designed for homeowners, typically aged 55 or older, allowing them to access the value or equity tied up in their property without the need to sell it.

Common methods include lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans.

Later-Life Lending Explained

The term later-life refers to equity release mortgages that allow homeowners 55 and older access to loans secured against the value of their homes.

With a later-life mortgage, homeowners can continue to live in their primary residences without worrying about making regular payments to the lender during their lifetime.

When the borrower passes on or enters long-term care, the property is sold, and the lender receives the loan amount plus interest.

Who is the Key Group?

Key Group is a United Kingdom-based financial services provider and specialised retirement group.

It was first founded in 1998¹ as one of the first equity release specialised experts. 

The Key Group aims to be one of the UK’s leading later-life lending companies.

By using decades of experience and equity release insight, it provides the ever-increasing over-55’s market with the ability to finance a better retirement. 

At Key Group, the team understands the importance of securing a financially stable retirement and therefore strives to provide expert financial advice for people entering their retirement years. 

What Products Does Key Group Offer?

Key Group offers various products and services that create opportunities for all to enter the markets with different ambitions. 

The Key Group offers:

• Product distribution
• Advisory services
• Product manufacturing
• Investments 
• Lending and funding capabilities. 

How Has Key Group Impacted Its Customers?

Key Group has impacted its customers by releasing more than £5bln² worth of equity release from its properties. 

By evolving, the Key Group can provide a suitable financial retirement plan for the increasing over-55 market. 

Key Group’s impact:

• Longer lives and longer retirements.
• Smaller pensions, with more funding gaps.
• Later homeownership, with more debt in later life.
• Caring for two generations at once.

Pros & Cons of Key Group

The advantages of Key Group include that it operates across the entire equity release market, from offering advice to providing educational information.

The disadvantages include the impact equity release can have on your inheritance.

Pros of Key Group:

• It’s brand portfolio offers services across the entire equity release market – from advice to lending and education.
• It has received largely positive customer feedback.
• It offers equity release plans through its brand More2Life.

Cons of Key Group:

• Equity release may not be suitable for everyone.
• A Key equity release advisor may not be able to offer impartial advice on products offered across the entire market.
• Some negative customer reviews highlight the lack of information provided by its agents.

Key Group’s Journey

The Key Group’s journey, which began twenty-four years ago, has become one of the largest financial services providers, specialising in later life lending. 

Key Groups History:

• 1998 – The company was founded under the name Home Income Gold under the parent cooperation countrywide. 
• 2001 – Home Income Gold broke away as an independent company – Key Retirement Solutions.
• 2004 – Key bought out Countrywide and had full autonomy of on company’s future. 
• 2005 – An equity release referral system – Key Partnerships was launched.
• 2007 – A flexible lending solution that specialised in the over-55’s market – More2Life was launched.   
• 2013 – The company’s headquarters relocated to Baines House. 
• 2017 – The company sold to Partners Group and Simon Thompson became the new CEO.
• 2018 – Key Retirements rebranded to Key and More2Life broke through the £2bln worth of loans milestone. 

Key Group Brands

The Key Group operates under many brand names, with each brand name operating in a specific way. 

These brands include:

• Key
• Key Partnerships 
• More2Life
• Air Group 

Common Questions

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In Conclusion

The Key Group is one of the United Kingdom’s leading experts in later life lending, and market specialists in equity release. 

Key Group was founded in 1998 and to date, owns multiple later-life lending subsidiaries with household names such as More2Life and Air Group.

It is important to note that you should do your research or speak to your financial advisor before choosing the Key Group and any of its subsidiaries.