"Nationwide will continue to look to strengthen our support for older and retired customers."
Following the initial announcement last month, the new maximum borrowing age will also apply to borrowers remortgaging to Nationwide from other lenders and fitting the same criteria.
The option will initially be made available from mid-July through mortgage intermediaries only, with the opportunity to apply directly through Nationwide planned to follow in August.
The option will be available across the product range, with a limit for any new borrowing of £150,000. LTVs will be limited to a maximum 60 per cent. The maximum age at application is 80. The criteria will be the same for both existing Nationwide mortgage customers and those remortgaging from other lenders.
Henry Jordan, Nationwide Head of Mortgages, said: “We are continuing to work towards increasing the ways to serve both new and existing customers looking to access the equity in their homes and borrow against it, supporting a range of needs in retirement. Our research has shown that older borrowers predominantly look to use their primary asset, their home, to give both them and their family more choice about their lifestyle options. This may include altering their homes or providing financial support to family, such as helping a relative to raise a deposit.
“This is another stage in Nationwide’s drive to widen choice for customers, but we recognise the risks that can accompany borrowing at an older age, so we are taking a balanced and prudent approach. Customers will need a stable and ongoing retirement income and we will reflect the additional risks that older borrowers may face by basing our assessment for joint borrowers on the proportion of income which will continue, should part of that joint income be lost during the mortgage term. Nationwide will continue to look to strengthen our support for older and retired customers.”
