Equity release lets homeowners unlock cash from their property without selling, but interest compounds annually — meaning you pay interest on the interest already added. Unlike a standard mortgage, there are usually no monthly repayments, so the debt grows quietly in the background. A relatively modest drawdown can more than double over a decade or two without any further borrowing.
This calculator shows the projected total debt at the end of each year based on the drawdowns and rates you enter. Use the tabs to examine each drawdown individually, or view the combined total. The black line on the chart shows what was actually borrowed — everything above it is interest.