Multiple outlets report that many Australians assume retirement requires having no debt, but financial experts say carrying a mortgage into retirement can sometimes be workable, particularly when paired with strategies such as downsizing. The articles explain that the key factor is not debt itself but whether a person’s income, expenses and mortgage repayments can be sustainably managed during retirement years. Downsizing can reduce housing costs and free up equity, potentially lowering ongoing repayments or providing funds to improve cash flow. Experts quoted across the reports frame mortgage affordability as central, including the ability to cover repayments using retirement income sources such as superannuation, pensions and other earnings. The coverage also notes that individual circumstances vary, meaning there is no single rule that everyone must be completely debt-free before retiring. Overall, the articles present mortgage debt at retirement as a situation that can differ widely by household finances, housing costs, and repayment capacity, rather than an automatic barrier to retiring.