The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a large, independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people ages 50-plus achieve financial independence.

While the organization, which serves 37 million older Americans and counting, doesn’t offer reverse mortgage products directly, it does weigh in on them in some significant ways.

Here’s where AARP comes into play for retirees who may be looking into getting a reverse mortgage as a means to age in place.

AARP reverse mortgage study

What does AARP think of reverse mortgages?

AARP has supported reverse mortgage products to help older Americans withdraw their home equity in retirement.  While the organization does not offer reverse mortgages, it offers helpful information on this type of loan if you seek more information from an independent third party.

On its website, AARP has a section devoted to reverse mortgages, which can be found here.

If you are wondering what the term “non-recourse” means or are preparing for your reverse mortgage counseling session, AARP offers a glossary of reverse mortgage terms and a wealth of information and questions to ask yourself if you are considering a reverse mortgage.

AARP influences reverse mortgage policy

In addition to its third-party role in providing information about reverse mortgages, AARP also takes a policy role through its Public Policy Institute.  Representatives from AARP often appear to work with policymakers on reverse mortgage protections and availability during congressional hearings.

Through its public policy arm, AARP has also published reverse mortgage reports and studies to guide decisions regarding the federally-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage program.

This loan program, which insures reverse mortgages under the Federal Housing Administration, comprises most reverse mortgages today and is sensitive to housing policy changes made in Washington, D.C.

Click here for a recent AARP Public Policy report on reverse mortgages.

AARP works to protect reverse mortgage borrowers

As the most significant senior advocacy group, AARP ensures that the financial products available to seniors are safe and in the best interest of those who use them.

Those products include reverse mortgages.  In the few cases where reverse mortgage borrowers have not been satisfied with their borrowing experience, AARP has come to the defense of those borrowers.

This has recently taken place as a defense for non-borrowing spouses involved in reverse mortgage transactions.

Those non-borrowing spouses who are not on the home title at the time of the loan closing are not entitled to inherit the home once the borrowing spouse has passed away or moved from the home under the policy set by the FHA.

Another recent example involved AARP’s urging the Federal Housing Administration to clarify the reverse mortgage “non-recourse” policy.  At AARP’s urging, FHA clarified that any non-borrowing spouse can purchase the home for fair market value if a borrowing spouse passes away or leaves the home.

This vital protection means that a reverse mortgage heir never has to repay more on the loan than the home is worth at the time of the home sale.

Top FAQs

Q.

Does AARP offer reverse mortgages directly?

AARP is an advocacy group; they do not make loans.  AARP can help borrowers with education, but you must seek a reverse mortgage lender to get a loan.
Q.

Does AARP recommend reverse mortgages?

AARP does not recommend for or against reverse mortgages.  They do, however, recommend that borrowers take the time to become educated so that borrowers are doing what is suitable for their circumstances.
Q.

Does AARP endorse reverse mortgage lenders?

AARP does not endorse specific mortgage lenders.
Q.

What is AARP’s involvement with reverse mortgages?

AARP works to educate borrowers on the reverse mortgage programs and as an advocacy group when they feel senior’s rights are being violated.
Q.

What Lawsuit did AARP have with HUD?

AARP was instrumental in protecting non-borrowing spouses’ rights on reverse mortgages.  They got HUD to change their guidelines so that underaged spouses no longer must come off the title and can live in a home with a reverse mortgage for life, even after the older, reverse mortgage borrowing spouse passes.