Standard lenders typically have maximum age limits of 70 to 80 at the end of the mortgage term. If you are 60 and want a 25-year mortgage, many will decline. But the later-life market has expanded rapidly.\n\nRetirement Interest-Only (RIO) — Introduced following FCA rule changes in 2018, RIO mortgages let you pay only the interest each month with no fixed end date. The capital is repaid when you die, move into care, or sell. Unlike equity release, you make regular payments. Affordability is assessed on whether you can sustain interest payments from retirement income.\n\nRIO Lenders — Bath Building Society, Hodge Lifetime, LiveMore Capital, Marsden Building Society, more2life, and Scottish Building Society. Rates are typically 1% to 2% above standard residential. Maximum LTV usually 60% to 70%.\n\nStandard Mortgages With Higher Age Limits — Nationwide accepts up to 85 at term end. Halifax goes to 80. Family Building Society has no maximum age. Leeds, Yorkshire, and Skipton building societies are often more flexible than high-street banks.\n\nUsing Pension Income — Lenders assess retirement affordability using guaranteed pension income (state pension, defined benefit pensions, annuities) and sustainable drawdown from defined contribution pensions (typically 3.5% to 4% of the pot per year). If pension income covers mortgage payments with headroom, many lenders proceed regardless of age.\n\nDownsizer Mortgages — If selling larger and buying smaller, some lenders offer specific downsizer products. Large equity from the sale means a small borrowing amount at low LTV, making affordability easier to demonstrate on a modest pension income.