Who Are Age Partnership?

Founded in 2004, Age Partnership is a specialist later-life financial services firm regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). They focus on retirement-related products, including:

• Equity release (lifetime mortgages)
• Retirement interest-only mortgages
• Remortgaging
• Pension and annuity support
• Later-life financial planning

Age Partnership has received multiple industry awards for its customer service and advice quality, and is frequently referenced in national media as a trusted specialist.

They are also one of the UK's largest distributors of equity release advice, completing thousands of cases each year and working closely with leading lenders.

What Equity Release Products Does Age Partnership Offer?

Age Partnership is a broker, not a lender. They do not provide their own lifetime mortgages but instead search the market to recommend a suitable product.

What they offer

They advise on (and help arrange):

• Lump sum lifetime mortgages: A single tax-free payment unlocked from your home.
• Drawdown lifetime mortgages: Release an initial amount, then access more when needed, interest only builds on funds actually taken.
• Voluntary repayment options: Many plans allow optional interest repayments to control the final balance.
• Inheritance protection features: Ring-fence a percentage of your home's future value for beneficiaries.
• Enhanced lifetime mortgages: Higher release amounts or lower rates for those with health conditions or lifestyle factors.

How the advice process works

1. Initial conversation to understand your goals and financial situation.
2. Free personalised calculation based on age, property value and mortgage balance.
3. Whole-of-market comparison from top lenders.
4. Recommendation report explaining the best plan for your circumstances, including alternatives.
5. Application support with dedicated case management.

Advice Fees: What Does Age Partnership Charge?

Age Partnership does not charge for initial advice or for using their free online tools. You only pay a fee if you decide to proceed with a recommended equity release plan. At the time of writing, their advice fee is a flat £1,895, payable upon completion.

This fee covers the full advice process, whole-of-market comparison, personalised recommendations, and the ongoing support of a dedicated case handler.

It is important to note:

• You do not pay anything if you choose not to go ahead after receiving advice.
• The fee is the same regardless of the lender they recommend.
• The adviser will confirm all charges upfront before you proceed.

For many customers, the ability to compare multiple lenders, including securing a lower rate than going direct, can offset this cost, but it's something to factor into your overall decision.

Customer Reviews: Trustpilot: 4.6★ from 9,400+ reviews

Age Partnership has one of the strongest customer satisfaction scores in the later-life financial advice sector, with over 9,400 Trustpilot reviews and an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5.

What customers consistently praise

• Clear, jargon-free explanations.
• Friendly, patient advisers.
• Regular updates throughout the process.
• Help navigate paperwork and legal steps.
• Feeling confident at every stage of the decision.

Below are recent verified Trustpilot reviews:

Key Features & Benefits of Age Partnership

• Whole-of-market advice: Unlike single providers, Age Partnership compares plans from multiple lenders to find the most suitable match.
• Free online calculator: Gives an instant estimate of how much you could release before speaking to an adviser.
• Highly rated guidance: Over 9,400 positive Trustpilot reviews reflect consistently strong customer service.
• Options tailored to your needs: Drawdown, voluntary repayments, inheritance protection, and enhanced plans are all available.
• Straightforward, supportive process: Dedicated case handlers, clear documentation, and regular updates.
• No obligation to proceed: You only continue if the advice and recommendation feel right for you.

Ability to compare equity release against other solutions

Age Partnership advisers will also consider:

• Remortgaging.
• Retirement interest-only mortgages.
• Downsizing.
• Using savings or other assets.

This helps ensure the chosen product option is genuinely the best fit for the needs of the individual and their circumstances.

Things to Consider Before Using Age Partnership

• Equity release reduces your estate: Taking cash from your home means you leave a smaller inheritance.
• Interest compounds over time: Unless you make voluntary repayments, the loan grows each year
• May affect means-tested benefits: Receiving a large lump sum can change eligibility thresholds.
• Early repayment charges (ERCs) can apply: Most lifetime mortgages include ERCs if repaid early in fixed periods.
• Not every lender is available through any one broker: Age Partnership covers a wide market, but does not cover every lender in the UK.
• Advice fees apply: Fees are disclosed clearly upfront and are only payable if you proceed.

Costs & Value for Money

Age Partnership does not set interest rates, these come from the lenders they compare.

However, their whole-of-market approach often means customers receive more competitive rates than going directly to a single lender.

Typical lifetime mortgage interest rates (2025)

• Lowest market rates: ~6.2% MER.
• Common market range: 6.5-7.5% MER.
• Exact rates depend on age, property value, health, borrowing amount, and product type.

Worked Example: Why Comparing Interest Rates Matters

To show how much difference interest rates can make over time, here is a simple example using the latest market rates from leading equity release lenders. These are the rates exactly as each provider publishes them, including Aviva, which quotes interest as AER rather than MER.

Latest Market Rates (Dec 2025)

• Pure Retirement – 6.26% MER.
• Canada Life – 6.78% MER.
• Just – 6.90% MER.
• Aviva – 6.35% AER.

If you released £100,000 today and made no voluntary repayments

What this tells us

Even small differences in interest rates can have a significant impact on the long-term cost of equity release:

• The difference between the lowest example (Pure Retirement) and the highest (Just) is £11,400 over ten years.
• Aviva's 6.35% AER produces almost the same 10-year cost as Pure Retirement's 6.26% MER, despite using a different rate format.
• Over 15 or 20 years, the gap widens further due to compounding interest (interest that builds up on the loan).

This is why whole-of-market advice matters. Brokers such as Age Partnership compare providers and rate formats on your behalf, helping ensure you secure the most cost-effective plan for your circumstances.

AER vs MER (Made Simple)

MER (Monthly Equivalent Rate)

The rate applied to your loan each month. Because lifetime mortgages compound monthly, MER shows how your balance grows in real time.

AER (Annual Equivalent Rate)

The annual version of the same interest rate. Because interest is added monthly, AER is always slightly higher.

Which matters more?

For comparing equity release plans, MER is usually the clearer measure, but some lenders, such as Aviva, only publish AER for consistency with their wider product range.

Easy way to remember:

• MER = monthly.
• AER = annualised version of that monthly rate.

Why this matters

This is exactly why whole-of-market brokers like Age Partnership can be valuable, they compare multiple lenders to find the most suitable rate and product structure for your circumstances.

Who Is Age Partnership Best For?

Age Partnership is a strong fit for:

• Homeowners aged 55+ wanting personalised advice.
• People comparing multiple equity release providers.
• Those who prefer expert guidance rather than going direct.
• Anyone unsure whether equity release is right for them.
• People who value transparent, regulated advice with no pressure.
• Families wanting reassurance on inheritance, interest roll-up, or voluntary repayments.

It may be less suitable if you already know the provider you want to use or prefer to manage the process independently.

Alternatives to Consider

Age Partnership advisers routinely compare equity release to other solutions, but readers may also wish to explore:

Remortgaging

Cheaper borrowing if you can meet affordability checks.

Retirement interest-only mortgages (RIOs)

Regular interest payments keep the balance from increasing.

Downsizing

The most cost-effective way to release equity without interest.

Using savings or investments

May be suitable depending on your financial position.

Free support services

• MoneyHelper (government-backed guidance).
• Which? independent advice.
• Citizens Advice for general financial support.

These can help you prepare before speaking with Age Partnership.

Final Verdict

Age Partnership is one of the UK's leading equity release brokers for good reason. Their combination of whole-of-market advice, clear explanations, strong customer satisfaction scores, and a supportive, step-by-step process makes them an excellent choice for homeowners exploring later-life borrowing.

While equity release isn't right for everyone, Age Partnership's advisers are obliged to explain when a different solution, such as remortgaging, RIO mortgages or downsizing, would be more suitable.

This commitment to transparency, together with consistently high customer feedback, makes Age Partnership a trustworthy starting point for anyone wanting to understand their options.