Together has joined the Equity Release Council as later-life lending continues to evolve. Commentary across the sector stresses that evaluating options is not the same as advising: repayment and interest-only mortgages, retirement interest-only products, second-charge borrowing and equity release can each produce very different outcomes for income, inheritance, benefits and long-term flexibility.
AI can support advisers by modelling lifetime-mortgage roll-up, comparing repayment paths and organising evidence across a broad set of options. However, it cannot replace a suitability assessment or the nuanced discussion required where vulnerability, family objectives, estate planning or foreseeable changes in health and income are involved. Firms deploying AI in later-life workflows should use it for research and administration, with advisers retaining accountability for recommendations, alternatives considered and the rationale for the final advice.