I had to take out a new mortage to pay off the ex when I divorced a few years ago. I am currently paying a higher mortgage rate than I need to at the moment too, so that I can reduce the term of my mortgage. It will now be paid off when I am 70 instead of 75, and I am the same age as you Steve! Fortunately, I will have a good pension so should be able to use part of my lump sum to pay the mortgage off when I retire.

Good luck with your plans, I hope that they come to fruition!