It was during this time, in Bangkok, that she met her wife. Together, they built a life that spanned continents, working as consultants and splitting their years between the UK and New Zealand.
Then life took an unexpected turn.
When Anne’s wife passed away, the emotional loss was compounded by a financial one.
The joint household income they had relied on, including her wife’s pension, came to an end. Anne was faced with the reality of needing to find a new way to fund her retirement, including a house move.
“I had run out of money, I’d run out of inheritance,” Anne says. “I realised I would have to borrow money.”
At just the right moment, Anne came across the idea of a reverse mortgage.
After speaking with a financial advisor to fully understand her options, Anne decided to move forward. The process, she says, was simpler than expected.
“I was surprised how easy it was. The bank made it very straightforward.”
For Anne, the impact was immediate and significant, providing her with much-needed support during the difficult transition as her circumstances and income shifted.
“It was a real lifesaver. It made it quite possible to do what I wanted to do.”
Rather than feeling constrained by financial pressure, Anne regained a sense of control and independence, enabling her to downsize her home and cope with everyday expenses.
“I could get a little bit more to help with the maintenance, and it allowed me to get in here and change the car and do the things you have to do when you move.”
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