Reverse Mortgages and Long-Term Care for Seniors: The Pros and Cons

A reverse mortgage is a loan borrowed from your home’s equity. Home equity is determined by calculating the difference between the appraised value of your home and what you owe on the mortgage.^[01] For instance, if your home is worth $500,000 and the total mortgage balance owed on the property is $200,000, then your home equity is $300,000.

Reverse mortgages are designed to help retirees stay in their homes longer, so they’re only available to people age 62 and older. “They’re a way to help seniors age in place at home or have extra funds for needed expenses,” says Ellen Skaggs, a Tustin, California-based certified reverse mortgage specialist. Reverse mortgages for seniors are often used to help pay for care, health expenses, and even home modifications.

Who owns the house in a reverse mortgage?

In short – the borrower owns the house. One of the most common misconceptions about reverse mortgages is that you’re selling your house to the bank, says Skaggs. In fact, reverse mortgage borrowers maintain the title and ownership of their homes for the entirety of the loan. As long as you maintain the home and pay property taxes, you cannot be forced to move or repay the loan.

Who repays the reverse mortgage?

You don’t have to pay the loan while you live in the home — it’s not due until the death of the last borrower, or one full year after they have moved out of the home. Typically, the home is then sold, and the proceeds from the sale go to repay the amount borrowed on the reverse mortgage, plus interest. Any remaining money goes to the homeowner or the beneficiary. If an heir wants to keep the house, they can refinance into a traditional mortgage or repay the loan to purchase the home.

There are three kinds of reverse mortgages:

1. Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) account for about 95% of reverse mortgages. There is no income requirement, but a financial assessment will determine whether you qualify and are approved. HECMs are insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which protects you if the lender fails. It also means that when it’s time to pay back the loan, you and your heirs don’t have to pay more than the value of the house.
2. Single-purpose reverse mortgages are typically offered by state and local government agencies, as well as select nonprofits. They can be the least expensive option, but the lender ultimately specifies the sole purpose of the loan. Often, it’s used for home renovations that allow the occupant to age in place, or to defer payments on some or all property taxes.
3. Proprietary reverse mortgages are private loans and are typically backed by companies that create them. These are usually designed to help borrowers with high-value homes and are sometimes referred to as jumbo reverse mortgages.

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H3: What are the requirements for a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)?

To qualify for an HECM, there are a few basic requirements each borrower needs to meet. You must:^[02]

• Own and live in your own home
• Be at least 62 years of age
• Have some equity in your home

Additionally, the home must be in good condition and meet U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements. Also, you cannot have an HECM in combination with another home loan.

Aside from borrower conditions, the property you own must also meet property standards and floor requirements. Properties that qualify for reverse mortgages include:^[02]

• Single-family homes
• Two- to four-unit homes with a unit occupied by the borrower
• Condominiums
• Townhouses
• Manufactured houses that FHA requirements

What can HECM funds be used for?

The funds from an HECM loan must first be used to pay back any money borrowed against the house. After that, the money can be used however the homeowner chooses.

For example, families often use reverse mortgages to pay for long-term care, including the following:

• Home care services, including help with meal preparation, housekeeping, and activities of daily living
• Assisted living, memory care, or nursing home care for a spouse or parent
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses, such as hearing aids
• Home safety modifications to help with aging in place, such as a wheelchair ramp or walk-in shower
• Adult day care services or respite care

“Qualifying for a reverse mortgage is not as stringent or precise as a traditional mortgage,” says Rick Rodriguez, a certified reverse mortgage specialist in Las Vegas. “It’s not based on a minimum FICO, or credit score. It’s based on payment history, and how responsible the applicant has been in regard to making payments over the last 24 months.”

To become eligible, a person must demonstrate to the lender that they’re able to pay property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and other related costs listed in the loan agreement.

Income is also taken into account. However, many seniors are eligible based on their Social Security income, Rodriguez says.

Age and location play a big role in determining how much money a person can receive. Older borrowers will typically receive more money, but the FHA’s lending limit for HECMs is $1,089,300 in high-cost areas and $472,030 in low-cost areas.^[03]

With a reverse mortgage, interest is added to the loan balance each month, and the balance grows. Borrowers receive less than the value of the home, to account for interest charges. “A reverse mortgage generally doesn’t exceed 80% to 85% of the value of the home, but is largely based on the borrower’s age at the time of the loan,” says Michelle Ash, a Jacksonville, Florida-based certified financial planner and chartered adviser in senior living.

In addition to age, the amount of the reverse mortgage loan also depends on current interest rates and the value of your home: This reverse mortgage calculator provides a free estimate of the amount of money you may receive based on your age, ZIP code, and home value.

What types of payment options are available?

A reverse mortgage allows you to receive funds in three different ways, says Skaggs. You can choose to receive:

• Monthly payments
• A lump sum (all at once)
• A line of credit

The benefit of a line of credit is that it doesn’t accrue interest unless you withdraw or use the money, unlike a lump sum or monthly payments. You may also be able to use a combination of payout options, depending on the loan.

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HECMs are typically more expensive than other types of home loans.^[01] Upfront and ongoing costs can include:

• Origination fee to begin the mortgage
• Closing costs, such as appraisal, title search, surveys, inspections, recording fees, and other fees
• Counseling service costs
• Interest on the money you use from the loan
• Loan-servicing fees
• FHA mortgage insurance premiums

Before moving forward with a reverse mortgage, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons. We’ve compiled a list of the most common pros and cons below, so you can take them into consideration as you decide.

What are the pros of a reverse mortgage?

• You don’t have a mortgage payment. One of the biggest benefits is that it eliminates monthly mortgage payments and instead provides additional income.
• You own your home. You’ll be able to live at home and keep full ownership if you maintain the home and pay the required insurance and taxes.
• The payments aren’t taxable. Reverse mortgage payments aren’t taxed and don’t affect Social Security or Medicare benefits.
• Your reverse mortgage may be federally insured and protected. A HECM is managed and insured by HUD. This provides peace of mind that you’ll still receive payments even if your mortgage lender defaults.
• You have financial flexibility and security. You can use payments from a reverse mortgage for anything you need, now or in the future.

What are the cons of a reverse mortgage?

• Loan fees. Origination fees, closing fees, insurance costs, and more: All these will quickly add up, though they can typically be paid using money from the loan.
• Interest adds to the balance owed. The interest you’ll inevitably pay back adds to the principal each month, meaning the amount owed continues to grow. Furthermore, the majority of reverse mortgage interest rates are tied to a financial index. Indexes act as benchmarks for how rates are determined and often fluctuate with the market. You can choose a fixed-rate HECM, but these typically require you to take the loan as a lump sum. Additionally, the reverse mortgage loan recipient can’t claim the loan’s interest as a tax deduction unless they pay off the loan.
• It could disqualify you from Medicaid. The income you receive from a reverse mortgage can potentially affect your financial status and your eligibility for Medicaid. This depends on your state’s rules and how much money you receive each month.
• There’s a limited amount of money that can be generated. The current loan limit on a HECM is $472,030 for low-cost areas and $1,089,300 for high-cost areas.^[03]
• Your heirs may eventually need to repay the loan balance. Upon the death of the borrower, the heirs must pay either the loan balance or 95% of the home’s appraised value – whichever is less — according to the CFPB.
• You could run out of money. If you qualify for a loan in your early 60s, for example, you could outlive the amount of money you receive from your reverse mortgage. If the reverse mortgage was a primary payment option for long-term care, it may leave a family with no means to finance care. So, it’s important to consider and combine other payment methods for long-term care.

Maybe. Reverse mortgages have become a sought-after option as the pandemic has impacted many seniors’ retirement savings, says Jennifer Fraser, director of stakeholder engagement at GreenPath Financial Wellness, a HUD-approved nonprofit financial counseling group. “Reasons for obtaining a reverse mortgage still vary. Education is key. It’s important to review all financial options to determine which is best for the borrower’s specific situation and finances. One opportunity doesn’t always fit all.”

A reverse mortgage could be the right financial solution for you and your family. But since the decision can be a complex one, HUD requires everyone to meet with an independent financial counselor before applying for a HECM.

“Some borrowers fail to grasp that a reverse mortgage is an option to age in place. They must maintain the home as their primary residence and maintain communication with the lender and complete all requests, so they don’t inadvertently default,” says Fraser.

When does it make sense to take out a reverse mortgage for long-term care?

• You and/or your spouse plan to stay in your home for more than five years. If you do need to move, the reverse mortgage fees you paid may outweigh the benefits.
• Your spouse or parent needs to move to a senior living community, and you’d like additional funds to help pay for it while you remain in your home.
• You’re able to keep up with yard work and repairs, or you can afford to pay for help.
• You can afford some living expenses, property taxes, and insurance.
• Interest rates are low.

“A reverse mortgage may not be for everyone,” says Skaggs. “But it is for a lot of people who are living on fixed incomes.”

When does it not make sense to take out a reverse mortgage for long-term care?

• You anticipate moving out of your home in less than five years after acquiring the loan.
• You’re isolated at home without friends or family nearby. Loneliness is a serious health risk for seniors, according to research.
• You cannot live safely in your home as your needs change.
• You’re in your 60s. Borrowing too soon may leave you without funds in your later years.

Experts recommend gaining professional advice about long-term care and payment options before deciding on a reverse mortgage or other financial solution.

• Find a qualified reverse mortgage counselor near you by visiting HUD’s counseling agency finder or calling its housing counselor referral line at 1-800-569-4287.
• Let’s Make A Plan, the website of the nonprofit Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., can point you to certified financial planners in your area.
• The National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association has a list of certified reverse mortgage professionalsorganized by state.
• A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisorshave helped more than 300,000 families find home care, assisted living, and memory care for senior loved ones. They can share information about costs and explore all of the possible ways to pay for senior care.