Equity release companies reviewed

Updated 29th January 2024

Equity Release lets over 55 year olds access the money tied up in their home, helping improve their finances in later life. It’s a highly regulated financial product and not right for everyone, but chosen wisely, equity release can relieve the pressure of money worries in later life.

Which are the best equity release companies?

The best equity release companies will offer you a personalised solution based on your requirements and situation. They should provide professional advice with complete transparency, ensure financial security and peace of mind and have reviews demonstrating exceptional service and customer satisfaction.

For your protection, they will be regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and are members of the Equity Release Council (ERC). Which is why we only include FCA and ERC authorised companies in our reviews.

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Equity release reviews - the things you need to know

equity release companiesOur equity release reviews have been created to help you understand more about the providers and brokers who offer lifetime mortgages, the most popular type of equity release.

Each review includes information on the company’s background, awards they may have won, eligibility and the range of products they offer. They also include additional information we think may be of importance such as how interest is calculated.

Some companies will offer their own products or will have partnered with a leading lender or broker to provide their equity release service. Other companies, usually referred to as brokers will offer products from the whole market or a select number of lenders, where they may have negotiated special deals.

Top equity release companies

Age Partnership - Age Partnership are national equity release brokers that work with a number of leading equity release providers. They offer their services direct to the consumer and through their associations with companies like Over50choices.

Read our Age Partnership review

Aviva - Lifetime mortgages give you the option to either release a one off cash sum from £15,000, or release an initial lump sum from £10,000 with a cash reserve of at least £5,000.

Read our Aviva review

Canada Life - Has a range of lifetime mortgages that allow you to repay some of the loan each year, add a cash reserve, choose downsizing protection or guarantee an inheritance for family.

Read our Canada Life review

Just - The ‘Just for you lifetime mortgage’ gives you the opportunity to release a cash lump sum with a cash reserve facility for you to use as and when you need it. The minimum amount you can borrow is £10,000 or £2,000 if you prefer to make monthly repayments.

Read our Just review

Key - Offer a range of branded lifetime mortgages in addition to advice on later life and estate planning products.

Read our Key review

Legal & General - Offer two types of lifetime mortgage. The first lets you repay the loan once you have died or moved into long term care. The second gives you the option to repay some or all of the interest.

Read our L&G review

LV - Equity release services are provided by Simply Lifetime Mortgages who are appointed representatives of Age Partnership. Their mortgages allow you to either release a cash lump sum, or release equity as and when you need it.

Read our LV review

More2Life - Have a number of lifetime mortgage options that offer cash facilities, inheritance and downsizing protection and fixed early repayment charges.

Nationwide – No longer offer equity release products but they still service existing customer’s plans.

Read our Nationwide review

One Family - Offer a range of lifetime mortgages. They also have a team of equity release advisers located throughout the country who compare and provide advice on products available throughout the whole of the market.

Read our One Family review

Pure Retirement - Offer a wide choice of equity release products and flexibility through their Sovereign, Heritage, Heritage Freedom, Classic and Emerald ranges.

Responsible Lending - Offer four types of equity release that give you the option to take a lump sum payment or drawdown money as you need it. They also offer premier plans for higher property values and fee paid plans that help you secure a lower interest rate.

Saga - Saga equity release services are provided by Hub Financial Solutions, which is part of the Just Group PLC.

Read our Saga review

Scottish Widows - Is the second of two banks to offer equity release. In addition to offering their services through Scottish widows, they also provide equity release services for Lloyds Bank and the Halifax.

Standard Life - Is a trading name of Key Retirement Solutions who have their own range of Key branded lifetime mortgages. The advice you receive from Standard Life is from ‘Modern Lending Advisors Limited’, an appointed representative of Key Retirement Solutions.

Sunlife - The Sunlife Sunrise lifetime mortgage service is provided by Key Retirement Solutions Ltd.

Read our Sunlife review 

The Equity Release Council's 'Find an equity release adviser' service provides a full list of advisers, solicitors, providers, associates and affiliates.

Next steps

We work in association with leading equity release specialist broker Age Partnership. They can compare equity release on your behalf and could potentially save you hundreds or thousands of pounds in interest over the course of the plan by securing a lower rate that you may not have found elsewhere.

As you will see from our Age Partnership equity release review, they provide free, no obligation advice; you only pay if you decide to go ahead. They can guide you through your options, compare plans and advise you on the best course of action.

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Compare Equity Release

We compare equity release interest rates so you can get a better deal. Our 2024 comparison table shows how much it costs. Take a look to find out more.

How much equity can I release from my home?

The amount of equity you can release from your home depends on several factors but typically ranges from 20% to 50%. Age has a big part to play as the older you are, the more you can borrow but poor health could increase the size of your loan if you are closer to the minimum age of 55.

Is equity release a good idea?

Is equity release a good idea? We look at the detail to help you make an informed decision as to whether its right for you.

Did you find this information helpful?

We work with

First Choice Health
Age Partnership
Quotezone.co.uk
sunlife.co.uk

Our aim is to provide you with clear and accurate information to help you research your chosen financial products and services. The material on this site is for general information only and does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation.

If a link has an * by it, it means it is an affiliated link to an insurance company or broker that may result in a payment to the site. Should you use the equity release calculator, speak to an Age Partnership adviser and take out a plan out using their services, we receive a commission, however this will not affect the price you pay.

Also, from time to time you may see advertisements from third party companies who pay us a fee to advertise their services on our site.

None of the above arrangements constitute advice or recommendations, as other products and companies are available. You should always obtain independent, professional advice for your own situation.

The information provided on this site is accurate at the date of publication, occasionally however, things will change before we have had the opportunity to update them, so please do check. Always do your own research and take independent advice.

We do not investigate the solvency of any company mentioned on our website and are not responsible for the content on websites we link to.

Over50choices is an independent company and regulated by the FCA (No.594280) for insurance products only and a member of the Equity Release Council.

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