Pure Retirement Equity Release Review (October 2025)

*Updated 7th October 2025*

Equity release allows homeowners over 55 to unlock money tied up in their home without having to sell it. Pure Retirement is a specialist lender that focuses solely on lifetime mortgages.

They have built a reputation as one of the UK’s largest dedicated equity release providers, offering a wide range of plans with features such as downsizing protection, flexible repayment options, and the Equity Release Council’s (ERC) no negative equity guarantee.

In this review, we explain how Pure Retirement’s plans work, what customers say, and how they compare to using a whole-of-market broker such as Age Partnership, who looks at multiple lenders to find the right provider to fit your needs.

At a Glance

• Plan types: Sovereign, Classic, Heritage, Emerald, Heritage Freedom lifetime mortgages.
• Safeguards: ERC member; no negative equity guarantee; downsizing protection; significant life event waiver.
• Eligibility: Ages 55–90 (depending on plan), min property value £70k–£125k, min loan amount £10,000.
• Repayment flexibility: Up to 10–40% per year, depending on plan. Some plans allow interest servicing.
• Customer rating: Trustpilot 4.6★ (402 reviews, Oct 2025).

Who is Pure Retirement?

Founded in 2014, Pure Retirement is a specialist provider of equity release, focusing exclusively on lifetime mortgages.

They are a member of the Equity Release Council, which means their plans all include a no-negative equity guarantee.

Pure Retirement has grown quickly by offering one of the widest ranges of repayment options in the market and by tailoring plans to different borrower needs.

How Pure Retirement’s Lifetime Mortgages Work (Plain English)

1. Apply – Your eligibility, property and age are assessed.
2. Get a personalised quote – Interest rate depends on your age, property value, loan-to-value, and chosen product.
3. Legal checks – Independent legal advice is required.
4. Money released – You receive a lump sum and/or set up a cash reserve.
5. Repayments – You can make voluntary repayments within plan limits, or let interest roll up.
6. Loan repaid – When the last borrower dies or enters long-term care, the loan and interest are repaid from the property sale.

Plans in Detail

Sovereign Lifetime Mortgage

• Eligibility: Age 55–85, property £70,000+, loan from £10,000.
• Features: Cash reserve option, 10% voluntary repayments p.a., free valuation under £2m, interest servicing option, significant life event waiver which allows you to repay your loan without penalty up to three years after your partner's passing away or moving into long-term care.
• Pros: Flexible repayment option; free valuations; allows sole applications from married couples.
• Cons: Higher property restrictions than some competitors; interest compounds if no repayments are made.

Classic Lifetime Mortgage

• Eligibility: Age 55–84, property £125,000+, loan from £10,000.
• Features: Cash reserve option, 10% voluntary repayments p.a., downsizing protection, significant life event waiver.
• Pros: Downsizing protection adds flexibility; reserve account available.
• Cons: Higher minimum property value; each drawdown may have its own interest rate.

Heritage Lifetime Mortgage

• Eligibility: Age 55–85, property £70,000+, loan £10,000–£800,000.
• Features: Cash reserve, 10% voluntary repayments p.a., free valuation, significant life event waiver.
• Pros: Wide loan range; flexible reserve.
• Cons: Does not include downsizing protection; interest can mount quickly.

Emerald Lifetime Mortgage

• Eligibility: Age 55–90, property £70,000+, loan £10,000–£1.5m.
• Features: Cash reserve, 12% voluntary repayments p.a., downsizing protection, interest servicing option.
• Pros: High maximum loan size; flexible repayment allowance.
• Cons: May carry higher interest rates than more basic products.

Heritage Freedom Lifetime Mortgage

• Eligibility: Age 55–85, property £70,000+, loan £10,000–£800,000.
• Features: Cash reserve, repayments of 20% or even 40% p.a., free valuation, significant life event waiver.
• Pros: Market-leading repayment flexibility; can clear the loan within three years penalty-free.
• Cons: May not always offer the lowest interest rates compared to other lenders.

Pros and Cons (Overall - across all plans)

✅ Wide choice of lifetime mortgages to suit different needs.

✅ ERC member: no negative equity guarantee.

✅ Free valuations on all plans.

✅ Market-leading repayment options (up to 40% p.a. with Heritage Freedom Plan).

✅ Options to service interest by Direct Debit.

✅ Downsizing and life event protections provide reassurance.

❌ Interest rates may be higher than some competitors.

❌ No medically underwritten plans (which could offer better rates for some customers).

❌ Some plans require higher minimum property values.

❌ As with all lifetime mortgages, compound interest can significantly reduce inheritance.

Eligibility (Summary)

• Age: 55–90 (depending on plan).
• Property: minimum value £70,000 (Classic requires £125,000).
• Loan: from £10,000, up to £1.5m (Emerald).
• Ownership: freehold or long leasehold.
• Joint or sole applications accepted (including sole applications from married couples on some plans).

What Do Customers Say?

Pure Retirement’s Trustpilot page shows a strong 4.6★ rating from over 400 reviews (Aug 2025).

Customers often praise the company’s helpful advisers and clear explanations, though some negative reviews highlight delays or administrative issues.

“The service was excellent. The adviser was knowledgeable, patient and explained everything clearly. I felt confident throughout the process.” — Sue Atkins, Trustpilot, July 2025

“I am one of those elderly people asset rich and cash poor. Thanks to Pure Retirement I am living a comfortable retirement” – CU, Trustpilot June 2025

Rates: What to Expect (Illustrative)

Latest Pure Retirement lifetime mortgage interest rates

Rates correct at 7th October 2025. 6.5% MER deal through Age Partnership when you use our equity release calculator.

Typical Customer Profiles

• Flexible spender: Wants an initial lump sum with access to more later — suited to Sovereign or Classic plans.
• High-value homeowner: Needs a larger release of funds — Emerald Plan allows up to £1.5m.
• Concerned about repayments: Prefers to chip away at the balance - Heritage Freedom Plan with up to 40% p.a. repayments may appeal.

Pure Retirement vs Age Partnership

Side-by-Side Comparison

Final Word

Pure Retirement is a well-established specialist equity release lender, offering one of the broadest and most flexible ranges of lifetime mortgages in the market.

With features like up to 40% annual repayments and strong ERC safeguards, the variety of plans and policies means they are a good fit for most people trying to find a suitable form of equity release.

However, if you want to compare across multiple providers, including Pure Retirement, to ensure you’re getting the best rate and the right plan and features for your situation, it may be worth speaking to a whole-of-market broker such as Age Partnership.

Pure Retirement only accepts applications from fully qualified equity release advisers, including our chosen partner Age Partnership.

Is Pure Retirement a member of the Equity Release Council?

Yes, Pure Retirement is a member of the Equity Release Council. This ensures that all its lifetime mortgages offer you the peace of mind of a ‘no negative equity’ guarantee, plus the freedom to transfer your lifetime mortgage to another property as long as it meets the company’s criteria.

The company is also regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

A note from our expert, Ashley:

This Pure Retirement review is one of a series of equity release reviews setting out the services of some of the UK's leading equity release providers to help you make a more informed choice.

Next steps

Compare equity release providers or try our free, no-obligation equity release calculator to see how much cash you could unlock from your home.

For free, expert advice call 0800 133 7380 to speak to an adviser at Age Partnership, the award-winning retirement specialists, who can talk you through Pure Retirement lifetime mortgages as well as many other leading providers.

Be sure to seek professional financial advice and speak to your family before deciding whether equity release is the right option for you. It’s important to understand the implications of a lifetime mortgage and consider the alternatives to equity release first.

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