The rolling up of interest on top of interest can also see your debt grow rapidly. However, generally you can expect the interest rates on any lifetime mortgage to be higher than on a traditional residential mortgage.

Interest rates on drawdown mortgages are fixed, as are the rates on additional withdrawals. The rate you pay on future withdrawals will then depend on wider market rates when you make any request. As a result, your debt should grow slower than if your only option for taking funds is as a one-off payment, on which you’d pay interest on the entire amount from the very beginning, as you would with a lump sum lifetime mortgage.Ī drawdown lifetime mortgage with a reserve will tend to charge a higher interest rate on your initial withdrawal than if you opted for a lump sum plan.

You only pay interest on the funds that you’ve drawn down, and not the reserve that is untouched. » MORE: All you need to know about lifetime mortgages Drawdown lifetime mortgage interest rates You might want to receive a set amount regularly as a top-up to your retirement income, or you may prefer to take whatever you need on an ad hoc basis (albeit in line with any minimum amount a lender might specify). From this, you can withdraw an initial lump sum and then have the option to release further cash as required (subject to the overall amount remaining within the agreed reserve). How much you’re allowed to take overall – your reserve – will be agreed with your lender at outset. With a drawdown lifetime mortgage in place, you continue to own your home and are responsible for its maintenance, but can unlock some of the equity you hold in it. This means you must be at least 55 years old and either own your home, or be a good way towards paying off your mortgage, to take out a drawdown mortgage. How does a drawdown mortgage work?Ī drawdown mortgage is a type of lifetime mortgage, and therefore also a form of equity release. As a result, this type of lifetime mortgage might be used as a means to supplement your usual retirement income or simply to provide an occasional cash boost.ĭrawdown mortgages are sometimes also called flexible drawdown mortgages. This means that you can only contribute £4,000 per year, instead of £40,000.A drawdown lifetime mortgage provides a way for older homeowners to release equity built up in their property in stages, as and when it is needed, while remaining in their home.

Once you take cash above your 25% tax-free allowance you’ll then become subject to the money purchase annual allowance (MPAA) of £4,000.

The value of investments can rise and fall and there is no guarantee as to how your funds will perform.

By withdrawing lump sums of your pension there is a chance that your retirement fund could run out sooner than if it were left in a more stable fund such as a lifetime annuity.

Like all investments there is risk associated with flexi-access drawdown. The disadvantages of flexi-access drawdown

Should you pass away before releasing all of your pension, you can nominate someone to receive the remaining funds on your behalf - such as a relative or charity.

If you wish, this can be adjusted periodically to reflect the performance of your investment or to better suit your needs.

If you decide to draw a regular income it’s possible to manage the amount you want, and at your desired intervals.

This offers the opportunity for growth, unlike an annuity which provides a fixed income.

Once you’ve taken your tax-free lump sum, the rest of your pension pot can be left invested.Whether you intend to use it to supplement your income, to help loved ones or fulfil a lifelong dream, it can be yours to spend however you wish. With flexi-access drawdown you can take up to 25% of your pension tax-free, as a lump sum or in portions.

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