If my husband doesn't die in the next four years, I will be destitute.

I find this thread deeply disturbing and deeply depressing I can offer no solution or even comfort.

Have you looked at Retirement Mortgages? You can get a lump sum paid to you, secured on the house, and repayments can be quite small. It would certainly buy you time to decide if you want to move. Or could you rent out a room? There are even schemes that match an older person to a student and they can help out. Retirement Mortgage is not the same as equity release, which is another option.

It is very difficult to get a new insurance policy when you are older - my OH has none and is in a slowly terminal state. I know that when he dies (if I am still on my perch) I will have to sell the bungalow. Or - and you might like to consider this - take out some sort of equity release/lifetime mortgage on the property. That is currently on the cards for us as his care is draining the little savings we had.

I have decided that the only thing to do is to srtide on into the future and not worry too much. What will be will be.

I know how you feel bob, I can only afford to live until I’m 80, (73 now), as I won’t be eligible for much in the way of benefits, and my rent will have used up all my capital. ?
Unfortunately I’m incredibly healthy! ?

I completely understand your situation Bobdoesit as my DH are in a similar boat.

DH's life insurance ended 2 years ago just after he had a stroke. The company refused another policy. We tried several other insurance companies but all refused on medical grounds. Therefor no life insurance. We still have a mortgage and a 10 year age gaps means I cannot retire for another 10 years (he's almost 68 and I'm 57) . The house is a 2 bedroom terrace in the North East, so isn't worth a lot anyway. Pointless thinking of downsizing as by the time we cleared the mortgage there would be nothing left.

If you do happen to find any life cover you will be very lucky. I have given up trying.