Reverse Mortgages – A Brief Summary

A reverse mortgage may be one of the best-kept secrets in the world of retirement financing. For senior homeowners, 62+ years old, these easy-to-qualify-for, low-interest rate loans offer the opportunity to tap into some of the unexpectedly large accumulation of equity that has built up in their property. Reverse mortgage programs allow seniors to withdraw money, tax-free, without relinquishing title to the property, and without requiring a mandatory monthly repayment. These funds can be received as a lump-sum, a line of credit, a monthly payment, or any combination of these options. In the end, the senior homeowner has benefited from living out their lives in their home for as long as they are able without financial worry.

Reverse Mortgages – As a Financial Planning Tool

Reverse mortgage programs are designed for homeowners 62+ years old. These easy-to-qualify-for, low-interest rate, loans offer the opportunity to tap into some of the unexpectedly large accumulation of equity that has built up in their property. Monies withdrawn are tax-free and can be used for any purpose the homeowner wishes. Examples range from buying a vacation or investment property, to gifting funds to children and/or grandchildren, to establishing trusts, to purchasing long-term care insurance and/or life insurance. The funds from a reverse mortgage can be used to strengthen the financial future of the senior homeowner.

Reverse Mortgages – Using Your Home to Protect Your Home

One of the greatest fears senior homeowners have today is that of losing their home due to the costs of extended medical care treatment. For seniors who can qualify for long-term care insurance, the costs of these insurance premiums is money well spent. While long-term care premium costs may look expensive if paid out of pocket, these same costs are tiny when compared to the value of a typical home. Senior homeowners, 62+ years old, can access some of this equity through easy-to-qualify-for, low-interest rate reverse mortgage loans and tap into some of the unexpectedly large accumulation of equity that has built up in their property. In 2003, The National Council on Aging (NCOA) began a program called Use Your Home to Stay at Home™ to promote the increase in the appropriate use of reverse mortgages so that millions of homeowners can tap home equity to pay for long-term care services or insurance.

Reverse Mortgages – Refinancing Out of a Current or Impending Foreclosure

In order to make ends meet, many senior homeowners have borrowed money from their homes in the form of a mortgage or home equity line of credit, and now find themselves’ unable to make the mandatory monthly repayments. These borrowers have two choices – sell their home or refinance with a reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage requires no income, asset or credit qualification, and does not change the title to the property. The reverse mortgage will repay the borrower’s current outstanding loan balance (up to certain loan limits), thereby ending any further monthly mortgage repayment bills. The borrowers may also have additional reverse mortgage funds available to them, helping them to continue to stay in their home for as long as they wish. When the property is finally sold (at the borrower’s discretion) the balance of the reverse mortgage loan is repaid, with the remaining equity belonging to the borrowers or their heirs.

Reverse Mortgages In Trusts and Life Estates

Many senior homeowners are planning ahead in order to protect or enhance their legacy. When implemented properly, the use of a Trust or Life Estate can be an effective means through which a home, typically their largest single investment, can be transferred to their beneficiaries prior to the seniors’ passing. The seniors retain the right to live in the home for as long as they wish, but they may still need, or want, additional funds to do so. A reverse mortgage program can be utilized within a revocable trust or a life estate to provide this extra money. When the beneficiaries ultimately take over the property, the reverse mortgage must be refinanced by the beneficiaries, or the property can be sold, the reverse mortgage repaid and the remaining equity belongs to the beneficiaries.

Reverse Mortgages and Medicaid

Many senior homeowners are unable to qualify for long-term care insurance and may someday face the prospect of extended medical care for themselves and/or their spouse. If personal net worth is limited, government long-term medical care assistance programs have specific guidelines relating to the finances of both the infirmed and their partner. A reverse mortgage can provide additional funds outside of these restrictions and can enhance the lives of everyone involved. As long as the proceeds are spent, and not invested or gifted away, this money can be used to augment allowable income under Medicaid guidelines. These easy-to-qualify-for, low-interest rate, loans offer the opportunity to tap into some of the unexpectedly large accumulation of equity that has built up in a senior homeowner’s property. Although a reverse mortgage does not prohibit Medicaid from placing a lien upon a home, it is a lien behind the debt senior homeowners accumulate spending on themselves however they wish.