Instantly See How Much Equity You Could Release
If you’re a UK homeowner aged 55 or over, an equity release calculator is the quickest way to understand how much tax‑free cash you could unlock from your home. With just a few basic details, such as your property value, remaining mortgage, and the age of the youngest applicant, you get an instant estimate of how much equity you could release through a lifetime mortgage.
There’s no credit check, no commitment, and no impact on your eligibility for anything. Just a clear, simple estimate of the money tied up in your home.
What the Equity Release Calculator Actually Does
The calculator gives you a personalised estimate of:
- how much tax‑free cash you could release
- how your current property value affects your loan amount
- how your age influences the percentage you can unlock
- how much equity is available after clearing any secured loans
It’s designed to help you understand your position before you speak to an adviser, especially if you’re exploring future financial options, reducing monthly repayments, or simply curious about your property worth.
The Three Details That Shape Your Estimate
How Much Equity Could You Release?
Most UK homeowners aged 55+ can release 20% to 60% of their property value, depending on:
Age
Property value
Health conditions (which may increase the amount)
Property type
Outstanding mortgage balance
The calculator shows you how much you could release today, based on your current property, not a future property valuation.
Why This Calculator Is Useful
Using an online calculator helps you:
- Understand how much equity is tied up in your home
- See how much you could release tax‑free
- Check whether a lifetime mortgage might be suitable
- Explore options without sharing unnecessary personal details
- Get clarity before speaking to an equity release adviser
- Understand how releasing equity could affect your life finances
It’s the simplest way to get a realistic estimate of the total amount you could unlock.
What Your Estimate Includes
Your personalised estimate will show:
- the maximum loan amount available
- how much equity you could release after clearing your mortgage
- how your property value and age affect the figure
- whether you might qualify for a higher amount through medically underwritten plans
- how much tax‑free cash you could access now or later
It’s just a guide, but a useful one.
What the Calculator Doesn't Do
The calculator does not:
Confirm eligibility for a specific equity release product
Replace a full property valuation
Assess your tax position
Determine your entitlement to means‑tested benefits
Decide whether equity release is right for your individual circumstances
Those things come later, with independent advice from a specialist.
Understanding Lifetime Mortgages (the Most Common Type of Equity Release)
A lifetime mortgage lets you release equity while continuing to own your home. There are no required monthly repayments unless you choose to make them. Interest can roll up (compound) over time, or you can make optional payments to manage the balance.
Most plans include: No Negative Equity Guarantee, the option to ring‑fence inheritance, flexible drawdown options and the ability to release equity in stages.
Your calculator estimate is based on these lifetime mortgage principles.
How The Calculator Helps You
The calculator helps you understand the numbers, the advice process helps you understand the implications.
How Equity Release Could Affect You
It’s important to understand the wider impact:
- Releasing equity will reduce the value of your estate
- It may affect your entitlement to means‑tested benefits
- Interest is added to the loan amount, which can grow quickly through compound interest
- You will never owe more than your home is worth thanks to the No Negative Equity Guarantee
- You remain the legal owner of your home
Why Start With a Calculator?
Because it helps you see what is possible.
A calculator helps you understand:
- how much equity you could release
- how your property value affects your borrowing potential
- how much could go towards clearing your remaining mortgage
- how much tax‑free cash you could access
- whether releasing equity could help with other debts, home improvements, or retirement income
- whether a lifetime mortgage or home reversion plan might be worth exploring
It’s fast, and obligation‑free.
What Happens After You Get Your Estimate
If you choose to share your details, a specialist adviser will talk you through:
- your calculator result
- how much you could release
- how interest works
- how your estate may be affected
- whether a lifetime mortgage, home reversion plan, or alternative is suitable
- whether equity release is the right fit for your individual circumstances
It’s trusted, independent, and whole‑of‑market advice, meaning you’re not tied to any one lender.
Equity Release
Is Equity Release regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)?
All equity release plans are regulated by the FCA that are called Lifetime Mortgages or Home Reversion Plans. Bower is also regulated by the FCA to give Equity Release advice as stated on the FCA register under our firm registration number 451607.
Is Equity Release Safe?
However, equity release has safeguards and guarantees in place to help protect those that take out a plan as hundreds of thousands of UK home owners have done for many years.
Bower is also a member of the Equity Release trade body the Equity Release Council.
It is important to understand that entering into a regulated equity release mortgage can reduce the amount of inheritance you leave behind and for some people can affect their eligibility for state welfare and or their tax position.
What is Equity Release?
Equity release is a way to help people over 55 release the money in their home (the equity) without having to move or sell.
The amount of money you can get depends on how much your house is worth, minus any money you still owe on your mortgage.
And it’s good to know that unlike some other companies, we are not tied to any lenders. So, we search the whole of the market to find you the best plan.
Guarantees of Equity Release
The ‘No Negative Equity’ Guarantee which ensures that neither the borrowers nor the family will ever owe more than the value of the property.
As long as you follow the terms and conditions of the loan, you will not lose your home and providing it remains your main residence can live there for as long as you wish.
There will be no debt or money owing left for loved ones to pay.
You can move to another suitable property if desired.
- Be at least 55 years old or above.
- Own a home within the UK – excluding the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
- The property must be worth £70,000 or more.
- You want to borrow at least £15,000.
- The property is your main, permanent residence and isn’t be unoccupied for more than six months at a time.
- Ideally you will be mortgage-free, or only have a relatively small mortgage on your property. If you have not paid off your mortgage, then any money received will initially be needed to pay off any outstanding mortgage debt with the balance paid to you.
Could you be eligible for Equity Release?
The amount of equity you are able to release will depend on several factors such as your age, the type of property you own and its value. You can use our free equity release calculator above to get an estimate of how much you could release. In order to be eligible to apply for a lifetime mortgage, you will need to
Why Choose Us?
At Bower we are dedicated to providing a reliable, impartial, equity release advice service for our customers. You can feel completely confident and safe in the knowledge that our only priority is giving the right advice for you, even if it is not to take out a plan. We are proud to say that we have received many awards of the past years, voted for by both the public and industry partners. We are authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and work closely with the Equity Release Council.
As a member of The Equity Release Council, we recommend the plans that adhere to their code of conduct. In cases where there may be more suitable plans for (whatever reason), we’ll discuss this with you so you can make an informed decision.
Want To Know More About Equity Release?
For those who would like an estimate of how much cash they may be able to unlock from their home try our free, easy to use and instant Equity Release calculator above.
Part of our service has always been the offer of home visits for those customers who prefer a face-to-face talk on the comfort of their own home. However, both the restrictions of the pandemic and our commitment to going green has enabled us to adapt and refine our offerings to be able to provide our comprehensive services through the use of video chat, phone advice, emails and zoom calls.
If you are keen to find out more about how equity release works and what might be available to you, then do not hesitate to use our contact page or call us on 0808 175 1514 and one of our knowledgeable, friendly advisors will be happy to help.
We know just how much of a genuine, positive, lasting difference equity release has made to the lives of our customers and thousands of other throughout the UK. Get in touch with Bower today and find out how we can help make a difference to yours.
FAQ
Bower are independent ‘whole of market’ equity release advisers, which means we have relationships with all equity release product lenders and have access to every regulated company and plan on the market. Most of the equity release lenders are the large pension companies in the UK and they are all regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). These companies provide the money for equity release, lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans, not the banks.
In the UK you are required to have advice from a FCA regulated company before taking out an equity release plan, that is where we come in. The advantage of coming to Bower is that you will have access to all the equity release companies in the UK, not just one company. This means that you could save thousands of pounds by accessing a lower interest rate and a more suitable plan, for instance one with low early repayment charges or the flexibility to make over payments.
There are also some companies who deal exclusively with one or a panel of equity release lenders, so members of the public do not receive whole of market advice from them. If you don’t use an independent, whole of market adviser such as Bower, then you could miss out on the perfect plan for you that has more of your requirements and a lower interest rate,
potentially costing you tens of thousands of pounds over the life of your plan. For those with an existing plan, it may be better for you to stay with your existing provider. We can advise you whether it will be cheaper and better to move companies or stay where you are and take a further advance for instance. This will all depend on the plan you are on, the amount you owe and your property value. No matter how old your plan, we can help.
Bower works for you and is fully independent so we always put your interests first.
Your adviser will take you through the full range of lenders we work with during your free, no-obligation appointment.
Some of these lenders include:
- Aviva
- Scottish Widows
- Hodge Lifetime
- Legal and General
- Just Retirement
- Liverpool Victoria (LV)
- More2life
- Partnership
- Canada Life
- Pure Retirement
- One Family
- Bridgewater
- Home & Capital
- Crown Equity Release
The Equity Release Council Standards Board makes sure that all lenders and advisers adhere to a strict code of conduct that includes a number of safeguards for customers.
Members of the ERC can guarantee that their customer’s products and services conform to the best practices of the sector, ensuring they are fully informed and continually protected.
Bower is a member of the Equity Release Council and only recommends Equity Release Council plans, or those with the same set of guarantees.
These guarantees are in your best interests and include the following promises:
- No Negative Equity Guarantee — this means you or your family will never owe more than the value of your home
- You retain the right to remain in your home for life providing it remains your main residence
- For lifetime mortgages, interest rates must be fixed or, if they are variable, there must be a “cap” (upper limit) which is fixed for the life of the loan
- You can move to another suitable property (subject to the new property meeting the lender’s acceptable property criteria)
It is your right to seek independent legal advice from an equity release solicitor of your choice
This depends on the value of your property and your age. In certain circumstances, your health is also taken into account as it may allow you to release more equity.
There are a number of alternatives, including downsizing to a smaller property or moving to a less expensive area, using savings, borrowing in the form of a loan or by asking a relative or friend.
These are some of the alternatives to equity release:
- Savings, investments or other assets that could be drawn on
- Downsizing your property or moving to a less expensive area to access some equity from your home’s value (although the cost of moving and agency/legal fees should be considered)
- Continuing in, or returning to, paid work to top up your income
- Letting out a room in your house to a tenant
- Accepting financial support from a relative or a friend may be an option, although it is understandable that some would prefer not to have to ask to borrow money from loved ones
- Arranging a traditional mortgage
- Looking in to Local Authority home improvement grants
- Ensuring all your entitlements to mean-tested benefits are being claimed (your Bower specialist will check this for you as part of our expert equity release service)
While there are different types of equity release plan to suit different individual needs, it’s not always the right option for everyone. Before taking out an equity release plan our advisers will go through all the advantages and disadvantages, and also the alternatives that could let you raise the money in another way. Get in touch and we will happily discuss all your options and can make a recommendation as to which one may be best for you.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
At Bower Home Finance, we will understand your unique circumstances and advise you to ensure you are receiving the best plan to meet your objectives. There are plans that allow you to make voluntary repayments and move home, subject to lender criteria. However, early repayment charges may apply in certain circumstances.
Bower Home Finance provides independent, impartial whole of market equity release advice with an award-winning customer service experience. Initial advice is provided at no cost to you and without obligation. Only if you choose to proceed and your plan completes, would a typical advice and administration fee of £1,695 be payable.
Equity release requires paying off any existing mortgage. Any money released, plus accrued interest to be repaid upon death, or moving into long-term care. Equity release will reduce the value of your estate and your entitlement to means-tested benefits now or in the future, and impact long-term care funding. If you are considering equity release, we strongly recommend that you read our Equity Release page carefully and talk to one of our specialists before deciding if you wish to proceed.
To find out more about any of the products and the service we provide, please call us on freephone 0800 411 8668, request a call back, email us, or use our live chat on our website.
Please be aware that equity release may involve a home reversion plan or lifetime mortgage which is secured against your property. All features and risks are thoroughly explained in your free personalised illustration.