A Hybrid HELOC Built for Retired Homeowners 60+
Unlock tax-free cashflow, choose flexible or no payments, and stay in your home for life — with funding in 21 days.
Be the Driver, Not the Passenger of Your Mortgage®
Be the Driver, Not the Passenger of Your Mortgage®
Discover the retirement mortgage built for your lifestyle—flexible, secure, and on your terms.
What is the Protected HELOC®?
The Protected HELOC® is a hybrid mortgage designed for retired homeowners age 60+. It blends the flexibility of a traditional home equity line of credit with the lifetime security of a reverse mortgage.
Unlike a bank HELOC, you’re not forced to make monthly payments. You decide — pay the full amount, pay part, or pay nothing at all. And unlike a reverse mortgage, your credit line can refresh if you pay it down, keeping funds available for future needs.
Stay in your home for life while keeping full ownership
Access tax-free funds that won’t affect CPP, OAS, or GIS
Choose flexible payments, including a $0 option
Pre-approval in 90 seconds, decision in 24 hours, funding in 21 days
It’s retirement-ready borrowing: flexible like a HELOC, secure like a reverse mortgage.
The Protected HELOC®:
Flexible like a HELOC. Guaranteed like a Reverse Mortgage. Protected for life.
Why Retirees Choose the Protected HELOC®
Avoid selling investments or triggering tax bills
Free up cash without moving or downsizing
Worry less about outliving your savings
Support loved ones with an early inheritance
The Protected HELOC® at a Glance
Flexible or no monthly payments
Tax-free funds — government benefits stay intact
Guaranteed for life — no renewals or re-qualification
Stay in your home and keep ownership
Pre-approval in 90 seconds, funding in 21 days
Use Your Equity Your Way
Boost monthly retirement income without selling investments
Pay for healthcare or in-home care
Renovate or make their home more accessible
Provide an early inheritance or help children with housing
Pay off debt and free up monthly cashflow
How the Protected HELOC® Works
Online pre-approval in 90 seconds
Speak with a specialist to review your options
Complete a simple appraisal and paperwork
Receive funds in as little as 21 days
Real Canadians. Real Stories. Real Freedom.
From retirees paying off debt, creating additional retirement income to grandparents helping grandkids with down payments, the Protected HELOC® is changing lives.
"We wiped out $1,200/month in payments and still kept our home. Now that money goes toward travel and helping the grandkids. Best decision we ever made!"
Jim & Carol D., 73 & 70
"I used the Protected HELOC strategy to eliminate my mortgage and redirect $800/month into my TFSA. In 10 years, I’ll have over $130,000 saved — and no stress about bills."
Frank L., 69
7.95% compounded annually, managed by your financial advisor.
"Thanks to the guide, I cleared $45K in debt, freed up $1,000/month, and now I finally sleep at night. Retirement finally feels like retirement."
Donna S., 75
Why the Protected HELOC® is Different
The Protected HELOC® is designed for Canadians age 60+ who want choice and security in retirement. It gives you more ways to access and manage your home equity than a regular HELOC or reverse mortgage.
With multiple ways to access your funds, the Protected HELOC® adapts to your retirement needs — whether that’s debt repayment, monthly income, or extra cash when you need it.
Flexible payments — pay the full amount, part of it, or nothing at all
Guaranteed for life — no renewals or re-qualification
Stay in control — you remain the homeowner and keep future appreciation
Refreshable credit — if you pay it down, the funds become available again
Choose how to receive funds —
• All at once in a lump sum
• Some now, some later as needed
• Or as steady income, like $2,000 per monthEveryday access — optional Mastercard® with a $2,000 limit, automatically paid from your Protected HELOC each month and reset, ideal for topping up retirement income
Ways to Access Your Money
One of the biggest advantages of the Protected HELOC® is how flexible it is when it comes to getting your funds. Unlike a reverse mortgage that pays only one way, or a HELOC that forces monthly payments, the Protected HELOC® lets you choose what works best for your retirement lifestyle.
With the Protected HELOC®, you’re not locked into one choice. You can combine options — taking some funds upfront, keeping a monthly income stream, and using your card for everyday flexibility.
Lump Sum — Get all your approved funds at once. Perfect if you want to pay off a mortgage, clear debts, or cover a major renovation.
Some Now, Some Later — Draw only what you need today, and leave the rest available for future use. Great for covering occasional expenses like travel or home upgrades.
Monthly Income — Set up steady, reliable cashflow, like $2,000 per month. Ideal if you want predictable income to supplement pensions or investments.
Everyday Access with Mastercard® — Use your Protected HELOC® Mastercard with a $2,000 monthly limit. Any amount you spend is automatically paid from your Protected HELOC® each month and the limit resets. This makes it easy to top up retirement income, cover groceries, or handle small monthly expenses.
Is the Protected HELOC® Right for You?
The Protected HELOC® is designed for Canadians age 60+ who want to unlock the value of their home without giving up ownership or taking on mandatory payments. It may be the right choice if you:
Want extra income in retirement without selling investments or triggering tax bills
Prefer the security of staying in your home for life instead of downsizing
Need flexible payment options — from full interest to partial or even $0 per month
Are concerned about outliving your savings and want guaranteed access to funds
Would like to support family now with an early inheritance or financial gift
Plan to cover healthcare costs, home upgrades, or pay down debt
Get Pre-Approved in 90 Seconds — Answer Within 24 Hours
Completing the secure online form takes just 90 seconds. Once submitted, our team reviews your details and provides an answer within 24 hours — with no credit impact and no obligation.
Here’s how it works:
Fill out the 90-second online form with your basic home and age details (60+)
Receive your pre-approval decision within 24 hours
Connect with a specialist to review options tailored to your needs
Complete appraisal and paperwork, then receive funding in as little as 21 days
It’s the fastest, easiest way for Canadian homeowners 60+ to explore safe, flexible, and tax-free access to their home equity.
Schedule Your Call with Matthew Hines, CRMS, CSEC
There’s no cost, no commitment—just a friendly conversation to explore what’s possible for you.
Ontario Clients Only / Appointments available weekdays
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common Protected HELOC® questions we get.
What is a Protected HELOC®?
A Protected HELOC® is a special type of mortgage designed specifically for Canadians aged 60 and over. It gives you the freedom to access tax-free cash, make no payments if you choose, and never owe more than your home is worth. It combines the flexibility of a traditional HELOC with the peace of mind of a reverse mortgage—but avoids the downsides of both. The Protected HELOC®: Flexible like a HELOC. Guaranteed like a Reverse Mortgage. Protected for life.
Who qualifies for the Protected HELOC in Ontario?
The Protected HELOC®, hybrid HELOC, is available to retired Ontario homeowners age 60+ with strong home equity.
How is the Protected HELOC® different from a regular HELOC?
A standard HELOC is tied to prime rates, requires monthly interest payments, and can be frozen, reduced or called in by the bank. The Protected HELOC® offers optional or zero monthly payments, fixed-rate lockups up to 5 years, and cannot be cancelled by the lender as long as conditions are met.
Are monthly payments required?
No. Payments are flexible: you can pay full interest, partial interest, or skip payments entirely.
How quickly can I access funds in Ontario?
The online form takes 90 seconds, you’ll receive an answer within 24 hours, and funds are available in 21 days.
Will this affect my government benefits like GIS, CPP, or OAS?
No. The funds you receive from the Protected HELOC® are tax-free and not counted as income, so they won’t reduce your GIS, CPP, or OAS payments.
Is the money I take out tax-free?
The money you receive through a Protected HELOC® is not considered income, so: There’s no tax on the money, It doesn’t affect your OAS or CPP, You can use it however you choose such as build your TFSA, support family, supplement retirement income or pay off debts. It’s your equity, simply unlocked.
Can I lock in an interest rate?
Yes. Unlike a standard HELOC, you can lock in a fixed rate for up to 5 years.
Can I receive funds as monthly income or with a card?
Yes. You can choose a lump sum, staged draws, steady monthly income (e.g., $2,000/month), or a Mastercard® with a $2,000 monthly limit that resets automatically.
Is the Protected HELOC available across Ontario?
Yes. It is available to homeowners in most municipalities across the province who meet age and equity requirements.
Do I lose ownership of my home?
No. You remain the legal owner and keep 100% of future property value, subject to the loan balance.
How is the Protected HELOC® different from a reverse mortgage?
A reverse mortgage usually forces interest roll-up, steadily reducing equity. The Protected HELOC lets you choose to pay interest, part of the interest, or nothing at all. You keep more control and equity protection, while still having a no-negative-equity guarantee.
What can I use the money for?
Any existing mortgage or HELOC balance must be paid off first. After that, there are no restrictions on how you use your equity. All advances are tax-free, and you decide what’s most important for your retirement. Many of our clients use the Protected HELOC® to:
- Eliminate debt or ongoing mortgage payments
- Cover everyday living expenses and healthcare costs
- Renovate or improve home accessibility so they can age in place
- Pay for in-home care or medical needs
- Create a tax-free TFSA safety net
- Fund RESPs for grandchildren’s education
- Contribute to an FHSA to help children with a first-home down payment
- Provide an early inheritance or financial gift to family
- Simply enjoy peace of mind knowing they have backup funds available
Can I be forced to move out of my home?
No. As long as you continue to meet the contractual requirements—such as paying property taxes, keeping insurance in place, and maintaining the home—you can stay in your home for life. The Protected HELOC® is designed to let retirees age in place with security and peace of mind.
Is there a no negative equity guarantee?
Yes. Your estate will never owe more than the fair market value of the home when it is sold.
Will my kids lose their inheritance?
The Protected HELOC® is designed to preserve as much equity as possible. In most cases, homeowners still leave behind significant estate value, often more than expected. Many parents use the Protected HELOC® to help family now, when it matters most.
What happens if I move or sell my home?
When you sell your home, the Protected HELOC® balance is paid off from the sale proceeds. Any remaining equity belongs to you or your estate. If you decide to buy another home, your Protected HELOC® may be transferred (ported) to the new property, provided certain conditions are met.
Is the Protected HELOC® guaranteed for life?
Yes — as long as you live in your home and meet the contractual requirements (property taxes, insurance, and maintenance). Unlike a bank HELOC, there are no renewals, no re-qualification, and it cannot be recalled. This avoids common HELOC pitfalls like mandatory monthly interest, recall risk, and full-recourse liability.
It’s Your Home. Now It Can Fund Your Retirement.
With the Protected HELOC®, you get flexible payments, guaranteed access for life, and tax-free cashflow — all without leaving your home.
Matthew Hines CRMS, CSEC
Matthew is a passionate advocate for Canadian retirees who want real solutions—not sales pitches. With two decades of experience as a Mortgage Agent, he specializes in helping homeowners turn their home equity into financial freedom. As co-author of The Canada Reverse Mortgage Guide® and co-author of The Protected HELOC Approach®, Matthew designs flexible, strategic options that ease the burden of debt and bring stability to retirement. Known for his deep expertise and down-to-earth approach,
Matthew’s goal is clear:
"To help you stay independent, protect your legacy, and enjoy the retirement you’ve worked so hard for."
TESTIMONIALS
What others are saying
"He Won't Give Up"
"I highly recommend Matthew. He has worked diligently on coming up with a solution with our mortgage issues after retirement. He's available whenever you need him, and won't give up until a solution is found. Matthew is very friendly and personable so there's no problem talking to him. He has your interest at heart." - Barbara, Cobourg ON
"You Don’t Find Many Great Brokers Like That."
"I wanted to pass on a huge compliment from my lawyer. My lawyer told me yesterday that, “ I have an amazing broker! Matthew worked so hard over the weekend to rectify the situation. He really had your best interest in mind. You don’t find many great brokers like that. “ Truthfully, saying thank you doesn’t feel like enough. I deeply appreciate all that you have done for me. So I totally agree with My lawyer!." - Karen, Bradford ON
"I Highly Recommend Matthew"
"With Matthew’s expertise and guidance, we were able to get a mortgage quickly. Matthew is extremely knowledgeable and always available to answer any questions. He made the process of getting a mortgage smooth, stress free and painless. I highly recommend Matthew for your mortgage needs!" - Vishal, Toronto ON
"He Was Professional, Responsive and Helpful"
"We had a very good experience working with Matthew and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a mortgage. From the first contact, he was professional, responsive and helpful in every way. Finally, someone who lived up to their promise of good service!" - Leslie, Barrie ON
Or call us anytime - 647-372-0762
Locations:
*Located inside the Royal LePage Signature Realty Offices.
(647) 372-0762
Dominion Lending Centres Edge Financial
Independently Owned & Operated #10710
The Protected HELOC®: Flexible like a HELOC. Guaranteed like a Reverse Mortgage. Protected for life.
Protected HELOC® and the Protected HELOC Approach® is a registered trademark of Stanley-Hines, 2025. All rights reserved. Matthew Hines | Mortgage Agent, Level 2, Ontario - FSRA#09000211 - Helping Canadian homeowners aged 60+ enjoy more financial freedom.
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