Just Retirement Review (2026)
Just Group is an established UK later-life finance provider and lifetime mortgage lender. It has a background in retirement income products. Its equity release range is offered through the Just For You Lifetime Mortgage, which is designed for homeowners aged 55 and over who want to release tax-free cash from their property.
They offer medical underwriting, which may help some borrowers access a better rate or release more money.
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Just Group Equity Release At a Glance
Eligibility: Homeowners aged 55 to 85 with a UK main residence worth over £70,000.
Medical underwriting: Just says six in 10 customers could borrow more or secure a better rate with its medically underwritten lifetime mortgage.
Interest options: Roll-up interest or interest serviced
EPC discount: Customers whose property has an EPC rating of A, B or C may qualify for a 0.10% interest rate discount for the duration of the loan.
Monthly repayments. Not required with the roll-up option, but customers can choose to pay some or all of the monthly interest by direct debit before the mortgage completes.
No negative equity guarantee. You or your beneficiaries won’t have to repay more than the sale of the property proceeds, as long as the terms and conditions of your lifetime mortgage have been met.
Just Group Equity Release Scorecard
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This scorecard is an editorial assessment based on Just’s published product features, benefits, customer review trends and how it compares with using an adviser or broker. It is not an official rating.
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Final rating: 4/5
Just Group scores well for product flexibility, medical underwriting and features. Its biggest limitation is that Just Lifetime mortgages are offered by one lender. This is why comparing Just against other equity release providers through a qualified adviser or broker, such as Age Partnership, can be valuable before making a decision.
How The Just For You Lifetime Mortgage Works
The Just For You Lifetime Mortgage is a loan secured against your home. It allows homeowners aged 55 and over to release tax-free cash while continuing to live in their property, provided certain eligibility conditions are met.
You keep ownership of your home. The loan is usually repaid when you die or move permanently into long-term care.
The process typically works like this:
Get regulated adviceAn equity release adviser reviews your age, property value, health, lifestyle, income needs and long-term plans. They will also explain how equity release could affect your estate, inheritance and means-tested benefits.
Choose how to release the moneyJust offers:
A lump sum, where you take one larger amount upfront.
Drawdown, where you release money in stages.
A cash facility, where funds may be available to access later.
Choose how interest is handledYou can choose between:
Roll-up interest, where no monthly payments are required and interest is added to the loan.
Interest serviced, where you pay some or all of the monthly interest by direct debit.
Complete medical underwritingIf you select the medical underwriting option, Just will use health and lifestyle information when assessing your plan. According to Just, six in 10 customers could borrow more or secure a better rate through its medically underwritten lifetime mortgage.
Have your property valuedYour home is valued to confirm how much you may be able to release. This depends on your age, property value (a minimum value of £70,000 is required), property type and chosen product type.
Receive legal adviceIndependent legal advice is required before the plan is completed. This helps ensure you understand the terms, costs and long-term impact.
Receive the fundsOnce approved, the money is released tax-free. If you still have a mortgage, it will usually need to be repaid first from the funds released.
Repay the loan laterThe loan is normally repaid when the property is sold after death or a permanent move into long-term care. If interest has rolled up, the amount owed will be higher than the amount originally borrowed.
Just Group Equity Release Pricing Examples
The table below will give you a clearer picture of what the Just Lifetime mortgage could look like in practice. Please note that these figures are for illustrative purposes only and should not be treated as a personalised quote from Just.
For illustrative purposes, we’ve made the assumptions: Property value £300,000. Lump sum lifetime mortgage.
Age in years | Estimated Release (% of Property Value) | Estimated Lump Sum Released |
55 | ~24% | ~£72,000 |
60 | ~29% | ~£87,000 |
65 | ~35% | ~£105,000 |
70 | ~41% | ~£123,000 |
75 | ~47% | ~£141,000 |
Note: All figures are illustrative estimates based on current market data and are subject to individual circumstances.
Table Summary:
From age 55, you can typically release a minimum of around 24% of your property's value, with the percentage increasing by approximately 1% per year of age.
The total loan, plus accumulated interest, is repaid when you die or move into long-term care, typically from the sale of your property.
Just is a member of the Equity Release Council, meaning all plans come with a no-negative-equity guarantee.
Pricing note
If you are comparing equity release with other providers, do not look at the rate alone. Also compare:
Early repayment charges
Drawdown facility rules
Whether voluntary repayments are allowed
Whether interest servicing is available
If inheritance protection is available
Medical underwriting impact on rates
The total cost over time
Advice, legal and lender fees
Age Partnership provides initial advice for free and without obligation. Its advice fee is only payable if the case is completed.
Pros & Cons of Just Group Equity Release
Pros
Useful for customers who may benefit from medical underwritingJust’s health and lifestyle assessment may help some applicants access a higher loan amount or a better rate than they might receive on a standard lifetime mortgage.
More flexible than a basic lump sum planThe Just For You Lifetime Mortgage includes options such as drawdown, a cash facility and interest servicing. This gives borrowers more control over how and when they release money.
Interest servicing may help reduce the final debtCustomers who can afford monthly payments may be able to pay some or all of the interest by direct debit. This can reduce the impact of compound interest over time.
EPC discount could benefit some homeownersBorrowers with an EPC rating of A, B or C may qualify for a small interest rate discount, which could make the plan better value over the long term.
Backed by Equity Release Council standardsJust is an Equity Release Council member, so eligible plans include safeguards such as the no negative equity guarantee.
Cons
Not a whole-of-market comparisonThe Just Lifetime Mortgage may be suitable, but it should still be compared with other providers before making a decision.
Rates and features depend on personal circumstancesThe best terms are not guaranteed. Your age, property value, health, lifestyle, location and borrowing amount can all affect what is available.
Roll-up interest can still reduce inheritance significantlyEven with flexible repayment options, customers who do not make payments may see the loan grow quickly over time.
Early repayment charges may applyAlthough Just allows some repayment flexibility, charges may still apply if you repay more than the permitted amount or exit the plan early.
Customer experience appears mixed in some casesJust has a positive overall Trustpilot rating, but some reviews mention delays, communication issues and difficulty resolving queries.
Why do people typically choose Just Group’s Equity Release?
People may choose Just Group equity release because they want a lender with flexible lifetime mortgage options rather than a very basic lump sum plan.
Common reasons include:
Access to tax-free cash in retirement: Equity release can help homeowners unlock money tied up in their property.
Avoiding downsizing: Some people want extra funds but do not want to sell their home.
Clearing an existing mortgage: Any existing mortgage usually has to be repaid when equity release completes.
Supporting family financially: Some homeowners use equity release to help children or grandchildren with deposits, debt or living costs.
Funding home improvements: This can include repairs, adaptations or making the home more suitable for later life.
Making use of health and lifestyle underwriting: Just’s medical underwriting may benefit some customers compared with standard pricing.
Managing interest more actively: Interest servicing and partial repayment options may help reduce the long-term effect of compound interest.
The strongest use case for Just Group is someone who wants a flexible lifetime mortgage and may benefit from medical underwriting, EPC-based pricing or the ability to manage interest.
Important to Know About Just Group’s Equity Release
Equity release is a major financial decision. Before choosing Just or any other provider, there are several important points to understand.
Equity Value. Equity release will reduce the value of your estate.
Compound Interest. If unpaid interest rolls up, the amount owed can grow quickly.
Benefits: A lump sum may affect means-tested benefits.
Existing mortgage: Any current mortgage usually needs to be repaid first.
No negative equity: This protects against owing more than the property is worth, but it does not prevent inheritance from being reduced.
Early repayment charges: Charges may apply if you repay early or exceed permitted repayment limits.
What Do Customers Say About Just Group’s Equity Release?
Just has a Trustpilot rating of 4.2 out of 5 from 609 reviews, with 82% of reviewers giving five stars and 11% giving one star, as checked in May 2026. Trustpilot reviews cover Just as a company, so they may include wider retirement products as well as equity release.
Positive reviews often mention helpful staff, clear communication, straightforward processes and efficient handling of drawdown or additional advances.
“Always very helpful and efficient… Paperwork is always dealt with very promptly and money transferred in a timely manner.” - Erica, Trustpilot
“The equity release process has been straightforward… The staff from Just have kept us updated at every stage of the application and I would recommend Just retirement money to anyone considering equity release.” - John, Trustpilot
“From start to finish, the process was made simple and easy due to the professional and friendly staff” - Michael, Trustpilot
Comparison: Just Group vs. Age Partnership
Just Group and Age Partnership play different roles in the equity release market.
Comparison Factor | Just Group | Age Partnership |
Role in equity release | A lifetime mortgage lender offering the Just For You Lifetime Mortgage. | An equity release adviser and broker that helps customers compare suitable plans. |
What the customer gets | Access to Just’s own lifetime mortgage product range. | Regulated advice, a personalised illustration and help comparing available equity release options. |
Best suited to | Homeowners who may suit Just’s own product features, such as medical underwriting, drawdown or interest servicing. | Homeowners who want to compare providers before choosing a plan. |
Product choice | Limited to Just’s own lifetime mortgage range. | Various plans from a panel of equity release providers. |
Medical underwriting | Available through Just’s medically underwritten lifetime mortgage. | Assess whether a medically underwritten or standard plan may be more suitable. |
Drawdown options | Available through Just’s product range. | Compare drawdown options across available providers. |
Repayment flexibility | May include interest servicing and partial repayment options. However early repayment charge rules may apply. | Compare repayment features across different providers. |
Interest rate comparison | Only Just’s rates, criteria and product terms apply. | Compare rates and features from available providers before making a recommendation. |
Advice and support | Offers adviser-facing product support through JustAdviser. Customers usually access the product through a qualified adviser or intermediary. | Provides consumer-facing regulated equity release advice. Age Partnership says initial advice is free and without obligation. |
Fees | Product fees, advice fees and legal fees depend on the recommendation and personalised illustration. | An advice fee may apply if the case completes. Other lender and solicitor fees may also apply. |
Main limitation | You are only considering one lender’s products. | You may pay an advice fee if you proceed, and available options depend on the providers Age Partnership works with. |
Simple Takeaway
Just Group may be a strong option if its lifetime mortgage features suit your circumstances. Age Partnership may be a better starting point if you want to compare Just against other providers before deciding.
Conclusion
Just Group’s equity release product is a strong option for homeowners who may benefit from medical underwriting, interest servicing, drawdown access or the EPC interest rate discount. It is also backed by Equity Release Council membership and includes important protections such as the no negative equity guarantee.
The main limitation is that Just Group is a lender, not a comparison service. Its plan may be suitable, but it should be compared against alternatives before making a decision.
For those still comparing the market, Age Partnership may be a better starting point as they compare providers, explain the options, and provide a personalised recommendation based on your individual requirements.
Equity release can improve financial flexibility in later life, but it can also reduce inheritance, affect benefits and increase debt over time. Be sure to get regulated financial advice and independent legal advice before proceeding with any loan secured against your home.
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Take a look around to find useful information on everything from the costs involved, how much you can get , frequently asked questions and lots more helpful information.
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