Yes, you can still get a mortgage later in life. There is no single maximum age that applies across every lender.
Some lenders have upper age limits, while others are prepared to lend well into retirement. Your age can affect the mortgage term and the options available, although affordability will usually be a major part of the lender’s assessment.
Whether you are still working, approaching retirement or already retired, the mortgage options available to you will depend on your income, circumstances and the lender you apply to.
If you’re buying a home or looking to remortgage, getting older doesn’t necessarily mean your choice of mortgages becomes limited to specialist later life products.
Can You Still Get A Mortgage Later In Life?
Yes. Getting older does not automatically stop you from getting a mortgage.
Some lenders set a maximum age when the mortgage starts or when the term ends. Others are more flexible and may consider lending well into retirement.
The lender will usually want to see that the mortgage is affordable now and that you can continue making the repayments throughout the full term.
Being declined by one lender does not necessarily mean another lender will reach the same decision, as age limits and lending criteria vary.
Why Does Your Age Matter To Mortgage Lenders?
Your age can affect how long a lender is prepared to lend for and how they assess your income over that period.
If you are approaching retirement, the lender may want to know how your income will change once you stop working and whether the repayments will remain affordable.
They will also consider the proposed mortgage term. A shorter term means the mortgage is repaid over fewer years, which can result in higher monthly repayments.
Your income, credit history and existing commitments will also form part of the lender’s affordability assessment.
Can You Get A Mortgage After You Retire?
Yes. It is possible to get a mortgage after retirement.
Rather than relying on employment income, lenders will usually look at the income you receive during retirement. This could include workplace or private pensions, the State Pension, investments or other regular income they are prepared to accept.
If you are due to retire shortly after taking out the mortgage, the lender may also want to understand how your income is expected to change.
Being able to show that your retirement income can support the repayments will be an important part of the application.
Does Being Older Affect How Much You Can Borrow?
It can. Some lenders may offer a shorter mortgage term as you get older, meaning the amount borrowed has to be repaid over fewer years.
This can result in higher monthly repayments and may affect how much you are able to borrow.
Your borrowing amount will also depend on your income, existing financial commitments and the lender’s affordability assessment.
Different lenders assess affordability in different ways, so the amount you can borrow may vary from one lender to another.
What Mortgage Options Are Available To Older Borrowers?
Many older borrowers can still take out the same residential mortgages available to other applicants, provided they meet the lender’s criteria.
You may want a mortgage to buy another property, or you might be looking to remortgage your current home. Depending on your circumstances, remortgaging could also provide a way to release some of the equity you have built up in your property.
A retirement interest-only mortgage may be another option depending on your circumstances. In some situations, equity release could also be considered as a different form of later life borrowing.
If you’re over 60 and looking for a mortgage, there isn’t a single type of product you have to use. Depending on your circumstances, a standard residential mortgage may still be available alongside other later life mortgage options.
What Happens If You Retire During Your Mortgage?
If you expect to retire before your mortgage ends, the lender will usually want to know how you plan to continue making the repayments.
Some lenders may ask for evidence of your expected retirement income when you apply. This helps them assess whether the mortgage will remain affordable once your employment income changes.
Your retirement plans may therefore affect the mortgage term or the amount you are able to borrow.
Thinking about this change in income before applying can make the process more straightforward, particularly if retirement is expected relatively soon.
Applying For A Mortgage Later In Life
Getting a mortgage later in life can be more straightforward when you understand how different lenders approach age, affordability and retirement income before you apply.
If you’re buying a home in Birmingham, perhaps to move closer to family or into a property that better suits your plans for retirement, your age does not automatically mean you need a specialist mortgage. The same applies if you already own your home and want to remortgage.
Our mortgage advisors can look at your income, the term you need and whether the mortgage will continue into retirement, before comparing the options available from a wide range of lenders.
Date Last Edited: September 9, 2026
