equity release

Equity release—or "give us your house"—is a means of borrowing some of the value of your home without having to sell it, and usually without having to make any repayments so that the interest compounds rapidly. Sometimes known as a lifetime mortgage. The more reputable lenders (for a given value of 'reputable') guarantee that the total debt will never exceed the value of the property, which is big of them; the less reputable will take your estate for as much as they can after you fall off your perch.

I borrowed 65K through equity release on my house seven years ago, and it's already doubled. At this rate there will be nothing left for my kids.