Retirement Bridge occupies a unique position in the UK equity release market. While many providers are active lenders seeking new customers, Retirement Bridge is primarily a specialist administrator. They are the UK’s largest manager of home reversion plans, responsible for thousands of existing agreements.
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Who is Retirement Bridge?
Retirement Bridge is the trading name of the Retirement Bridge Group, which includes several long-standing equity release firms such as Bridgewater Equity Release and Grainger Equity Release.
Retirement Bridge does not currently launch new equity release products for the general public. Instead, their core mission is to manage and service a ‘closed book’ of over 10,000 existing home reversion plans. They are fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and are members of the Equity Release Council.
What is Retirement Bridge Equity Release?
Because Retirement Bridge specializes in home reversion, their portfolio is fundamentally different from the lifetime mortgages offered by most other providers.
If you have a plan with Retirement Bridge, it means:
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You sold a share of your home: You sold a percentage (25% to 100%) of your property to one of their subsidiaries in exchange for a tax-free lump sum
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No Interest Roll-up: There is no loan and no interest compounding. Your debt doesn't grow, the share you sold simply belongs to them
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Lifetime Lease: You have a legal right to live in your home rent-free (or for a nominal rent) until you pass away or move into care
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Property Maintenance: You remain responsible for maintaining the property to a good standard and keeping it insured
Support for Existing Customers
For the thousands of homeowners who already have a plan with Retirement Bridge, the company provides a comprehensive support service:
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Further Releases: If you haven't sold 100% of your home yet, you may be able to apply to sell an additional percentage to unlock more cash
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Annual Occupancy Checks: To ensure the terms of the lifetime lease are being met, they require a signed declaration each year confirming you still live in the property
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Property Maintenance Support: They conduct property inspections (usually every three years) to ensure the home is being kept in good condition, which protects the value of their shared investment
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Moving Home (Portability): If you wish to move, Retirement Bridge can often transfer your agreement to a new, suitable property
Pros and Cons of Retirement Bridge
Pros:
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Specialist Expertise: They are experts in the UK home reversion sector
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Certainty: For existing customers, there is no interest rate volatility to worry about
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Regulated & Safe: Fully compliant with all modern consumer protections and Equity Release Council standards
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Stability: They manage a massive portfolio, providing long-term security for your lifetime lease
Cons:
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No New Direct Applications: You generally cannot walk in and get a new plan today
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Standard Home Reversion Risks: Legacy plans may have involved selling large shares of the home for relatively small sums compared to today's property values
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Strict Maintenance Rules: They can be more insistent on property repairs than a standard mortgage lender, as they are part-owners of the building
Why Can’t I Apply for a New Plan?
As of 2026, Retirement Bridge is focused on administration rather than new lending. The home reversion market in the UK has shrunk significantly in recent years as lifetime mortgages (which allow you to keep 100% ownership) became the dominant product.
However, if you are looking for a new home reversion plan today, you would typically look at their subsidiary Bridgewater Equity Release or competitors like Crown, as they are the active arms of the home reversion market. When applying for any form of equity release it's essential to seek out independent financial advice from a specialist qualified to advise in this niche.
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