Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
Lifestyle Liberation – How Equity Release Can Fund Your Later Life Aspirations
Moneymagpie Team
14th May 2025
After decades of hard work, raising families, and paying off mortgages, many homeowners reach their later years with a common realisation: the dreams they’ve long postponed still deserve to be lived.
Whether it’s exploring far-flung destinations, upgrading your home, or finally pursuing long-held passions, later life isn’t just about slowing down—it’s about living fully.
In this enlightening guide, Bert Hofhuis, founder of SovereignBoss, explores how equity release is empowering over-55s to reclaim their freedom, pursue fulfilling lifestyles, and enjoy the retirement they’ve truly earned.
By unlocking wealth tied up in their homes, many older adults are creating opportunities for adventure, comfort, and personal growth.
- Freedom in Retirement: A New Chapter of Possibility
- What Is Equity Release and How Does It Work?
- Popular Later-Life Aspirations Funded Through Equity Release
- Flexible Funding for a Flexible Lifestyle
- The Emotional Value of Investing in Yourself
- Balancing Aspiration with Responsibility
- Avoiding Common Misconceptions
- A Lifestyle Worth Living, Not Just Dreaming
- Conclusion: Reclaiming the Life You Deserve
Freedom in Retirement: A New Chapter of Possibility
Retirement used to mean stepping back. Today, it’s increasingly seen as a time to step into something new.
Whether it’s travelling, redecorating, starting a small business, or picking up an abandoned hobby, retirement is being redefined by choice and freedom.
Yet for many, the only thing standing between aspiration and reality is liquidity.
While property values have risen over time, much of this wealth remains locked inside bricks and mortar.
This is where equity release offers a compelling solution.
What Is Equity Release and How Does It Work?
Equity release allows homeowners aged 55 or over to access tax-free cash from the value of their home—without having to move out or sell.
The most common method is a lifetime mortgage, which allows you to borrow against your property’s value, with the loan repaid when you pass away or move into care.
There are flexible plans available, including options with voluntary repayments, fixed interest rates, and the ability to ring-fence part of your home’s value for inheritance purposes.
As Bert Hofhuis explains, “Equity release can turn your home into more than just a place to live—it becomes a platform for living more fully.”
Popular Later-Life Aspirations Funded Through Equity Release
The lifestyle opportunities that equity release can support are as varied as people themselves.
Some of the most popular uses include:
- Travel and exploration – from Mediterranean cruises to road trips across the UK
- Home improvements – renovations, garden upgrades, or creating that dream kitchen
- Buying a holiday home – for seasonal escapes or family gatherings
- Pursuing passions – whether it’s painting, sailing, or enrolling in a cooking course
- Starting a business or consultancy – turning experience into income on your terms
- Health and wellbeing – private care, gym memberships, or wellness retreats
Equity release helps people design the retirement they want, not just the one they’re told they can afford.
Flexible Funding for a Flexible Lifestyle
One of the great advantages of modern equity release is its flexibility.
Homeowners can choose between:
- Lump sum payments – ideal for big-ticket goals like travel or home renovations
- Drawdown plans – take smaller amounts over time, reducing interest costs
- Voluntary repayments – help manage interest build-up and retain more equity
- Inheritance protection – safeguard a portion of your home’s value for your loved ones
This adaptability makes equity release suitable for both structured planning and spontaneous life decisions—without the pressure of monthly repayments.
The Emotional Value of Investing in Yourself
For many retirees, the value of equity release goes beyond pounds and pence. It’s about feeling free, seen, and still in control.
Being able to say “yes” to life again can restore confidence, strengthen relationships, and contribute to a strong sense of wellbeing.
Bert Hofhuis notes, “We meet people every day who feel they’ve done their duty—now it’s time to honour themselves. Whether it’s a trip they’ve dreamed of for 20 years or a simple home upgrade, equity release lets them say, ‘I deserve this.’”
Balancing Aspiration with Responsibility
While equity release offers new possibilities, it’s not a decision to rush. Responsible use is key. Consider:
- What’s important to you: travel, security, helping family, or health?
- How much you really need: releasing less means lower costs long-term
- Planning ahead: for future care needs, unexpected expenses, or legacy goals
- Seeking independent advice: always work with a financial adviser and solicitor to ensure full understanding
When approached thoughtfully, equity release becomes part of a balanced, personalised retirement plan.
Avoiding Common Misconceptions
Some retirees hesitate to use equity release because of outdated myths. It’s worth clarifying:
- You don’t have to sell or leave your home
- You retain ownership of your property (with lifetime mortgages)
- Interest rates are now much more competitive and often fixed
- There are no monthly repayments required, unless you choose to
- You can still leave an inheritance, especially with modern plan options
Modern equity release is safer, more transparent, and more flexible than ever.
A Lifestyle Worth Living, Not Just Dreaming
When used with care and planning, equity release can turn the golden years into the bold years. No longer does retirement mean cutting back or waiting for “someday.”
It can mean choosing now—to travel, to grow, to invest in comfort, or simply to enjoy life’s moments more fully.
From once-in-a-lifetime experiences to quiet daily joys, the possibilities unlocked by equity release are deeply personal—and deeply rewarding.
Conclusion: Reclaiming the Life You Deserve
You’ve worked hard for your home. Now, let your home work for you.
With equity release, your property becomes more than just shelter—it becomes a springboard to new experiences, comfort, and meaningful living.
Whether it’s adventure, creativity, or simply peace of mind, the right plan can help you unlock the life you’ve been waiting for.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.
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