By Aditya Thakur
A pension
mortgage may seem lucrative at the first sight. However,
they seldom are, if the customers who took pension mortgage are
to be believed.
Nevertheless, before delving into the ill consequences of the mortgage,
let us observe why pension mortgages seem lucrative. The most eye-catching
feature of pension mortgages, which lures people, is that the pension
mortgage requires to be paid out of the pension amount, which one
receives at the time of retirement. This is the feature, which drives
people to go for pension mortgages.
While in most types of mortgages, the customer would have to pay
the full repayment amount himself; in pension mortgage,
he gets assistance from the government, though not directly. To
every 78p, which a person contributes to the pension fund, the government
contributes 22p (This is for a basic rate taxpayer. In case of those
who are high rate taxpayers, the ratio changes to 60:40. This means
that for every 60p contributed by the customer, governments share
is 40p). Therefore, a customer is actually paying just 78 and 60
percent respectively. Besides, the customer is also getting tax
relief for paying into the pension plan.
People normally do not like to burden their present life. Their
optimism assures them that their future will be secure. Pension
mortgage is basically an interest only mortgage. This means that
they will have to pay significantly less on the mortgage as they
are paying only the interest. People who desire more of immediate
relief shall be pleased with the idea of paying less.
However, they have to pay the mortgage amount drawn. At the end
of the term of repayment of the pension mortgage,
the principal amount will remain unaffected. This is because all
through the period of repayment the customer has been paying just
the interest. This principal amount will have to be repaid with
the help of pension. Normally 25% of the pension amount is available
in cash. This may be used to pay the pension mortgage.
Taking these into account, pension
mortgages seem to be the perfect mortgage. Neither
is the customer forced into paying more on the monthly installment,
nor does he face any difficulty in the final repayment.
But, what of the life after the pension mortgage is
paid. Is the life ahead as smooth as the repayment? No, it is not.
You have retired and have lost a source of income. You are not in
the prime of age to device new sources of income. You need something
to rely upon once you retire. Utilizing cash from pension fund for
paying a pension mortgage will be inappropriate. This reduces the
amount of pension available for the customer to use.
Another feature, which can be seen as exploitative, is that one
cannot go for full and final repayment until the age of 50. This
is because a person is not authorized to use any part of the pension
fund before they reach the age of 50. Therefore, one will be able
to repay the pension mortgage before maturity only out of other
resources.
Yet another feature of pension mortgage, which
will give you goose bumps, is that there is no guarantee of the
pension fund being able to pay the pension mortgage. A pension fund
is an investment linked to the stock market. The amount available
on the pension fund will depend on the whims of the stock market.
Thus, there can be a scenario where the lump sum received through
pension is not able to pay the pension mortgage in full. The borrower
in such cases may be called upon to meet the deficit through other
resources.
A similar scenario may occur when the borrower is not able to pay
into the pension fund because of unemployment or death. The house
will be repossessed to pay off the pension mortgage. Taking a life
assurance policy can be a counteractive measure. This will help
pay off the pension mortgage at the time of repayment.
There are numerous lenders in the UK offering pension mortgages.
Many of the lenders are available online. After having screened
the lenders and making a list of few lenders, it will be good to
contact the lenders personally.
Before taking a pension mortgage one must be extra
vigilant. A pension
mortgage can endanger your retirement life. Unbiased
and professional advice on the viability of pension mortgage for your individual case will be beneficial.
Aditya has completed his masters in mass communications
from Jamia University. If you need UK Personal Loans, secured Loans,
unsecured loans visit www.ukfinanceworld.co.uk
Article source: www.loanarticles.co.uk
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