Searching for an equity release calculator for the under 55s is unfortunately not going to produce the results you hope for. Yet, many people do conduct a search online for this tool, which is one reason many websites and articles use the keyword to get your attention. There are some important facts you need to understand about equity release for retirees. The first is that equity release (ER) is for individuals over 55. Since it is a minimum age, there is not going to be a calculator that provides a calculation for an individual who is younger than this. One of the reasons the phrase is still used and targeted is because of planning.
People who want to plan for their retirement can find the calculator useful as they plan for their retirement day. The calculator can certainly provide some details that will help with the planning.
What ER Calculators Provide
As an equity release calculator for the under 55s does not exist, you will need to use a standard equity release mortgage calculator. It can still provide you with helpful information. You can also look for such options as the impaired equity release calculator that provides results for potential ill health issues. Impaired health allows you to gain a larger lump sum of tax-free cash than a healthier retiree. Of course, if you do not need a bigger sum of cash, it is best to stick with the standard ER. You also have calculators specifically for interest only lifetime mortgage products and home reversion.
An interest only lifetime mortgage provides you with a capital lump sum where you pay interest off each month to keep that sum the same throughout the life of the loan. Every lifetime mortgage will have interest and the entire amount is due at death or a move to a long term care facility. Basically, when you move from your home you need to pay it back. With interest only it is more affordable and leaves an inheritance behind if you pay off the interest, versus a loan that accrues until death, leaving a large sum to be repaid.
With appreciation and depreciation a home value can change and wipe out any inheritance if you have interest adding to the loan too.
Home reversion is different because it is a sale of all or part of your home. With the sale you still live rent free under a lifetime tenancy agreement, you can stay until death or until you decide to move to long term care, and only at the end is the rest of the house sold to the buyer. Any home left to sell is converted to cash for your beneficiaries. Buyers are investing in the appreciation of the home as a way to make their money.
ER calculators will be able to provide you with a potential maximum amount you can be lent, along with figures for what you may owe in the end. This gives you an idea of whether the option is affordable for you or not.
Possible Products
The market is flooded with products as more people begin to retire. Also changes to the regulations of these loans have meant a change in availability of certain products. The calculator uses the age of the person, plus the home value, to determine the maximum amount allowable. A loan to value percentage is the maximum amount for a specific age a person can obtain.
For example, Aviva is offering a product to 55 year olds where you receive 20.5% of your home value in an ER loan. Stonehaven’s Interest Select Max (interest only loan) provides 19% of the home value.
The older you are the higher your loan to value ratio will be on the assumption the loan will not be outstanding for as long. Thus, someone 65 years of age from Aviva can receive 30% of the home value in an ER. The Stonehaven ISM plan offers 29%. If you go with Aviva and are 65 years of age with a home value of £100K you would receive £30,000 in a maximum amount.
You should be aware that not all providers offer 55 year olds ERs. For example Just Retirement, LV=, New Life, and Pure Retirement require you to be 60 years old at least. This will change the calculations you receive from the ER calculator. As no equity release calculator for under 55s exists, just make certain you use an independent calculator that can provide accurate results for your situation.