What is a pension mortgage ?A pension mortgage may seem lucrative at the first sight. However, they seldom are, if the Hot Topics
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 on retirement. This is the feature, which drives people to go for pension mortgages. While in most of the 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 ( cheap life insurance ) 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 ( life insurance ) amount is available in cash. This may be used to pay the pension mortgage. |
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