The New Year is a perfect opportunity to pause, reflect, and reset – especially when it comes to your finances. Whether you’re already retired or getting closer to that next life chapter, a simple financial check-up can make a big difference in giving you more freedom, less stress, and better peace of mind.
Here’s a practical 10-step guide for Australians over 55 to help clean up your financial life for the year ahead.
Australia’s reverse mortgage market continued to strengthen throughout 2025, with the product gaining popularity as a strategic retirement tool for older homeowners facing rising debt, longer lifespans, and limited superannuation.
In 2025, reverse mortgages are no longer considered a last resort. For many Australians, they’re a strategic retirement planning tool—offering flexibility, control, and financial breathing room.
More and more Australians are approaching retirement with something previous generations didn’t: debt.
Once upon a time, retiring meant paying off the mortgage and living comfortably off your super.
Today? That vision feels out of reach for many older Australians — and the pressure is mounting.
Welcome back to our series, 101 Uses for a Reverse Mortgage, where we highlight the unexpected, practical ways Australians are using reverse mortgages to create security, freedom, and financial independence in retirement.
Each week, we bust the myths surrounding these loans by sharing real case studies* — no hype, no jargon, just real people solving real challenges with the right guidance and advice.
Case Study 3: She Nearly Lost Her Home—But We Settled the Loan Just 45 Minutes Before Foreclosure. After the death of her husband several years ago, our client fell behind on her mortgage repayments. With no family support nearby and only her Centrelink pension to live on, her financial situation worsened — and the bank began legal proceedings to repossess her home.
Welcome back to our series, 101 Uses for a Reverse Mortgage, where we highlight the unexpected, practical ways Australians are using reverse mortgages to create security, freedom, and financial independence in retirement.
Each week, we bust the myths surrounding these loans by sharing real case studies* — no hype, no jargon, just real people solving real challenges with the right guidance and advice.
Case Study 2: Regaining Financial Independence Without Leaving Home. Years ago, our client’s Sydney home was placed in joint names with her daughter and son-in-law due to a business arrangement. But over time, the personal and financial dynamics changed — and she no longer wanted to be financially tied to them.
Welcome to our new blog series, 101 Uses for a Reverse Mortgage, where we highlight the real-life ways, Australians are using reverse mortgages to solve practical financial challenges — and create freedom in retirement.
This week, we look at a client who wanted to move to regional Victoria, to be closer to her family. She had sold her Brisbane home for $750,000 and planned to purchase a new home in country Victoria for the same price — a like-for-like move.
But there was a complication: She still had an outstanding home loan to clear, plus credit card debt and additional costs like stamp duty and moving fees. She also wanted a small cash reserve as a safety buffer for unexpected expenses.
As retirement stretches longer and living costs rise, more Australian homeowners are looking for ways to free up cash without selling their home. Two increasingly popular options are the Home Equity Access Scheme (HEAS) and a commercial reverse mortgage. Both let you access the wealth (equity) in your home without the need to sell — but they’re very different products, with different benefits, costs, and risks. Here’s what you need to know before making a decision.
When considering a reverse mortgage, many retirees want to ensure that a portion of their home’s value is preserved for their future needs or for their family. Protected equity is a feature that allows you to do just that. In this article, we’ll explore how protected equity works, its benefits, and whether it’s the right choice for you.
A reverse mortgage is a powerful financial tool for retirees looking to unlock the wealth in their home without selling. But what if you don’t need all the funds right away? That’s where a cash reserve comes in. In this article, we’ll break down how a cash reserve works, its benefits, and what to consider when using this feature in a reverse mortgage.
For many Australians aged 55 and over, the ability to stay in their home for life is a top priority when considering a reverse mortgage. Fortunately, lifetime occupancy is a built-in protection that ensures you can continue living in your home for as long as you wish—without fear of being forced to sell or move out.
In this article, we’ll explore what lifetime occupancy means, how it works, and why it provides security and peace of mind for retirees.
