Full Guide

We might be on the same boat when I say…

Trying to understand lifetime mortgage is difficult, particularly when there’s limited research options you can find and expenditure that come with professional consultation.

Or is it?

But, you can get unbiased details on this, the advantages of taking one out, and the related dues by checking out this guide.

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What are Lifetime Mortgage Plans?

If you’re property rich but cash strapped, then you will appreciate how crucial it’s to have the money in place to enjoy your financial freedom and not to get worried about how you will pay for your bills, insurance premiums¹  and to relish your retirement.

However, if you do not have a considerable pension pot or any savings, getting to realise your dreams and retain your lifestyle after retirement could be easier said than done.

That is where lifetime mortgage²  comes in handy. It is the most popular equity release scheme and works by allowing homeowners over 55 years to acquire the value or ‘equity,’ tied up in their estate as a cash disbursement. It enables you to have access to no tax cash to enjoy in retirement – while letting you keep ownership of your home.

Unlike the residential mortgages which is on a fixed rate, lifetime mortgages run for life. You continue to reside in your property with no rent until you die. It’s the ideal alternative to downsizing.

How Does This Work?

True to its name, a lifetime mortgage works by running for life of the owner. Unconventionally, no paying are made till the last surviving owner dies. That said, most of them today offer you the option of making monthly paying or voluntary paying to regulate the usury from accruing.

The interest typically builds up or ‘rolls up’ on this, thus accumulating with time. Anything left after repaying the provider goes to your beneficiaries.

The funds you receive with lifetime mortgages are also flexible. You can choose to take the money as a lump sum or in several smaller chunks, ‘drawdown.’ In both cases, the cash you release is of no tax, and you get charge usury on your withdrawal.

How Much Cash Can You Unlock?

What you can borrow is all dependent on your lender.

However, most use the following criteria:

• The youngest owner has to be a minimum 55
• The minimum value of your property needs to be £70,000
• The owner’s health and lifestyle – if you have any qualifying medical issues. You have the right to borrow more cash.

So, to give a rough estimate, according to Aviva and Legal & General, you can release between 20% and 50% of the equity in your residence.

However, when it comes to deciding how much you can use, you can use our calculator to see how much you can release and chat with an adviser.

The Cost

Like other equity release, you always have to make sure you are aware of the expenses involved, which can include:

• The financial adviser’s fee³  – for helping you set up
• An arrangement fee to the provider
• The solicitor’s fees
• Property valuation fees
• The completion fee – you can pay at the point of completion

As per most equity release companies, this expense can up about £1,500-£3,500. You might also have to pay extra if you decide to make ‘early payment charges.’

Therefore, before you take out a lifetime mortgage, be sure that you understand the dues you will have to cover and get the right advice from your adviser.

Classifications of Lifetime Mortgages

Seven out of ten equity release consumers choose lifetime mortgage. It is because of the flexible add-on elements these options factor in.

Typically,these products feature the basic roll-up plan, which involves taking out a lump sum of no tax equity, and you don’t make any monthly payment. The resulting balance builds up (compounds) over time, but then again can be offset by the possibly accumulating value.

There are several, all which provide you with a range of features that are designed to meet your needs:

1. Enhanced Reverse Mortgages

Very similar to the standard one, this option is dependent on your health and lifestyle.

This type, if you qualify, allows you to borrow more money and at a lower usury remuneration. In both cases, your provider uses the life expectancy rate to calculate the maximum equity⁴ 
you can release and the lower interest remuneration you will pay in the long-run.

2. Voluntary Payment Plans

It is a new market innovation and allows for ad hoc paying to the loan. It enables you to make paying of up to 15% of the initial amount every year with no penalties.

3. Interest-Only Lifetime Mortgages

Monthly paying reversed the workings of unconventional equity release. With this, however, you get to repay the usury and sustain a level balance.

4. Drawdown Lifetime Mortgages

It offers you a cash reserve from which you can take cash withdrawals as and when you need to.

It means that you have access to cash but are only charged usury on the money when you use it. Think of it a bit like an overdraft facility. It is available if you need it, and you only pay if you use it. If you’re looking to take several withdrawal, this might be an excellent option for you.

The Benefits of a Lifetime Mortgage

The popularity of lifetime retirement mortgages is increasing every year, and it’s due to its incredible benefits. They comprise:

• It helps you control your debt. With the ‘no negative guarantee,’ you will never owe your provider more than the value of your property despite how much you like.

• You get to live in your home with no rent. You may go to another home, if the new house meets the conditions stipulated out by your broker – your lifetime mortgage will go with you.

• You get the financial freedom to use the no tax capital as you please.

• You have the options, and you can select the one that suits you best. You can opt to release as little as £10,000 with no tax, with more in the reserve facility for future purposes. You can also get to select either the fixed lifetime mortgage rate option depending on the broker.

Is it Secure?

Since 2002, lifetime mortgages have been regulated by the FCA⁵  (Financial Conduct
Authority). So you can rest easy knowing that
there are significant stipulations and guidelines to ensure that you’ll
get a fair deal.

The industry body also protects your broker, financial adviser, and surveyors, through the Equity Release Council – whose members must heed to the Council’s Statement of Principles which comprise of:

• You have the right to continue
  living in your home till you die or decide to move into long-term care.

• You have the right to move to another home, if it’s a suitable alternative property that meets the lending of your broker.

• In case you want to the assurance that your family will inherit a part of your property, you have the right to take inheritance protection that lets you ring-fence some of the value of your residence give to your family.

• You are protected by the ‘no-negative guarantee’ that safeguards your heirs from owing more than the value of your estate.

Pitfalls of Lifetime Mortgages

There are various factors that one needs to consider when taking this out, and these comprise of:

• It can affect your tax position and means-tested benefits.
• It will affect the inheritance.
• When you have an usury roll-up mortgage, you will owe a lot higher until it’s not paid.
• Taking out a mortgage with variable usury remuneration might cost you more in the long-run. However, with the ERC standards, if the usury is, then your broker must incorporate the upper-limit ‘cap.’

Limited Mortgages vs. Residential Mortgages

You might have purchased your home with a traditional mortgage. However, as you may have noticed, it’s different from lifetime mortgage, and here are the key variances:

	Lifetime Mortgage	Residential Mortgage
Monthly Payments	Typically, you do not pay any monthly payments: but there are specific plans that can allow you to do this	You make monthly payments till the end of the mortgage duration
Terms of the Loan	There is no fixed duration. You only pay when you pass away or move to permanent care	It has a fixed period – the mortgage or loan term
Interest Charges	It adds up to what you owe every month – the ‘compound interest’ or ‘roll-up’ interest	Your broker will bill you through either the:   Interest-only mortgage – the monthly costs cover the usury on the initial amount you borrowed. This is repaid by other means at the end of the term   Repayment mortgage – the monthly expense consist of the usury charged and a ration of the initial amount you borrow
Interest Remuneration	There are preset usury remuneration throughout the scheme	You can opt to have the variable or fixed usury remuneration, with a variety of choices to pick from
Affordability Checks	It depends on your plan broker, but in most cases, there are no affordability checks if you choose to make no month-to-month payments	Your income and credit score are considered to confirm that you afford your monthly mortgage payments

Common Questions

In Conclusion

Taking out a lifetime mortgage is a life-changing, and it might not be the best option for everyone. You need to consider all your options carefully and seek specialist advice from your financial adviser. It would be best if you also involved your family to assure you make the best decision.

In case you need more information on this though, be sure to click here and see how much equity you can release with the lifetime mortgage calculator and chat with an adviser.