Exploring interest-only and retirement interest-only mortgages

Owning a home in your later years can bring security. However, as retirement approaches, it can get tricky. Often, mortgage options are limited. Many high street lenders are now unwilling to allow a mortgage to extend beyond normal retirement date. Even though many people now plan to work to age 70 and beyond or will have regular reliable pension income.

But there are products out there to help.  

Here at Perenna, age is just a number. That’s why we don’t apply age limits to our products. Instead, we assess mortgage applications on property value and whether the monthly payments are affordable (maximum loan to value limits may apply).  

And for those borrowers looking to keep their monthly payments down, we can offer interest-only options. Let’s explore… 

Interest-only options allow people to borrow against their home but only pay back the interest each month. The original amount borrowed is still due at the end of the agreed term. For those people looking for an option in later life, there’s retirement interest-only (RIO) products too.

What’s the difference between a RIO and regular interest-only mortgage?  

The truth is, they can seem similar. That’s because, for both, you only need to repay the interest each month. However, with a standard interest-only product, you will need to show how you’ll pay off the loan at the end of the mortgage term. This could be through savings or selling your home for example.

With a RIO product, you don’t need to repay your loan until you, or if it’s a joint mortgage, the last remaining one of you dies or decides to live elsewhere long term. For example, if you move into a residential home.

For a Perenna RIO mortgage, the other key difference is that they are only available to borrowers over the age of 50.

Why choose a later life mortgage? 

There are many reasons people may want a mortgage into retirement. It could be to support their lifestyle or to pay for home improvements. It could lower monthly payments. Or for some, it may allow them to stay in the home they love.  

Looking at a RIO option can help with all of these things. It can also lower those monthly repayments. And this can help to remove that worry and focus on enjoying life.  

How can Perenna help? 

We want to help homeowners make the most of their retirement. That’s why we’re proud to provide options to those who are looking for mortgages whilst they’re enjoying their golden years.  

A Perenna RIO mortgage is available to borrowers over the age of 50, up to 60% loan to value. 

Want to find out more?  

Our mortgages are currently available through mortgage brokers only. So, if you’d like some mortgage advice, that’s no problem. We can help find someone near you. They’ll provide tailored advice based on your mortgage needs. Plus, they’ll know all about our mortgages, so can answer any questions you may have. 

Find a broker 

You could lose your home if you don’t keep up your mortgage repayments.

Correct at time of publishing.