Older homeowners now control £3.7 trillion in housing wealth – and it’s quietly reshaping intergenerational finance
In the UK today, property wealth has never been more concentrated in the hands of older homeowners. According to the latest Office for National Statistics data analysed by Just Group, homeowners aged 55 and over collectively hold around £3.7 trillion in property wealth, representing roughly two-thirds of all privately held housing equity in the country. The 55–64 cohort alone holds approximately £1.4 trillion, with the 65–74 group at £1.2 trillion and those aged 75+ at around £1.1 trillion.
This wealth presents a significant opportunity, not only to support clients’ own retirement goals, but also to help the next generation and even provide support “upwards” to ageing parents. For standard mortgage brokers who have long worked to help families climb the housing ladder, understanding and referring to specialist later life advisers can unlock new commercial and client-focussed outcome opportunities in a market that remains widely under-served.
Traditionally, intergenerational financial assistance from older homeowners has focused on the so-called “Bank of Mum and Dad” - parents helping children with deposits or mortgages. However, there is growing recognition that this dynamic is evolving. Research from Legal and General suggests that nearly half of all homes bought by buyers under 55 in recent years received some form of family support and one in five parents or grandparents used their own property wealth to help younger relatives onto the housing ladder, whether through downsizing, remortgaging or equity release.
More recently, equity release has seen a notable shift in how clients intend to use this unlocked wealth. The proportion of equity release loans used specifically to support family finances has increased from about 13 % to around 22 % between the first half of 2024 and the same period of 2025.
This trend not only reflects how older homeowners are thinking differently about the purpose of their housing wealth, but also highlights an emerging intergenerational use case for later life lending. UK Finance has described this as the rise of the “Bank of Grandparents,” where older cohorts (who increasingly own their homes outright) may release equity to assist children and grandchildren without losing the right to remain in their property.
For many mortgage brokers, the typical referral conversation around property wealth may centre on helping adult children. However, an equally important but sometimes overlooked group are clients who want to use housing wealth to support their own older relatives, for example a 55+ client unlocking property wealth to help a parent in their 80s meet care costs or adapt their home for mobility needs.
This dynamic sits within broader financial pressures many families face. The so-called “squeezed middle” encompass households that are financially responsible for both older parents and their own children. Research shows that this group routinely supports multiple generations simultaneously and may feel significant financial stress as a result. Decisions about how and when to access housing wealth are therefore not just about enabling the next generation, they can be critical to managing broader family responsibilities and safeguarding long-term wellbeing.
Unlocking property wealth, whether for family gifting or personal objectives, requires careful planning. Products such as lifetime mortgages, retirement interest-only mortgages and other later life solutions have characteristics and consequences that differ materially from mainstream residential mortgages. Equity release products accrue interest on the amount borrowed which will reduce the value of an estate passed on to heirs if not serviced, and accessing property wealth may also affect entitlement to means-tested benefits. Navigating these considerations effectively requires specialist expertise.
Qualified later life advisers are trained to assess suitability against personal circumstances and to ensure that clients understand the long-term implications of their choices. Referring to a trusted partner supports client outcomes and mitigates risks that can arise when clients proceed without fully informed advice from an expert. Building structured referral pathways with trusted later life adviser firms also creates new revenue opportunities while retaining overall client oversight – or, to coin a phrase, “Refer and Earn”.
From a commercial perspective, recognising when clients might benefit from specialist later life advice fosters stronger client relationships and enhances trust. Brokers who understand the trigger points, such as someone aged 55+ discussing plans to gift funds to children, contributing to their own parents’ care costs or freeing up cash for family support can extend client engagement because clients may be more likely to return for future needs if they perceive their broker understands broader life goals, not purely transactional mortgage outcomes. Brokers who proactively identify later life planning needs distinguish themselves from competitors who may narrowly focus on financing a product today without regard to broader client needs
You could start by identifying clients aged 55+ who are considering using property wealth for anything beyond refinancing or downsizing. As part of a mortgage review, ask about their intentions to support family members, whether that be children or older parents.
Next, cultivate relationships with reputable, FCA regulated later life advice firm with demonstrable experience in equity release and holistic intergenerational planning. Ask if they have any Advisers who are SOLLA accredited too. Once you have that relationship in place, ask them to help you establish clear criteria for when to refer a client. This includes intentions to release equity for intergenerational gifts, care funding, long-term planning for aging relatives, or complex tax and inheritance questions. Ask them for a “rule of thumb” as to how to calculate a maximum loan-to-vale while you are at it.
The UK housing wealth landscape presents a compelling opportunity for mortgage brokers to enhance client outcomes and unlock new revenue streams by recognising the increasing role of later life lending, particularly for intergenerational support. Whether clients want to help their children onto the housing ladder or support their own ageing parents, property wealth can be a strategic financial resource when accessed with the right advice.
Referral to specialist later life advisers ensures that clients benefit from tailored, compliant advice that balances immediate family support with long-term financial security. In doing so, brokers not only strengthen client trust, but position themselves at the forefront of an evolving mortgage market where intergenerational planning and holistic financial guidance are becoming essential services.
