If you’re 62 or older, you may be eligible for the most popular reverse mortgage program, the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), insured by HUD – Housing and Urban Development.  This federally insured loan can help you stay in your house for as long as you maintain your primary residence and keep up with property taxes and insurance.

Because the loan length depends directly on how long you live in the home, the amount you can borrow also depends on that time frame, including the age at which you get the reverse mortgage.

Reverse mortgage proceeds can be accessed in a few different ways—as a line of credit, as monthly term or tenure payments, as a lump sum, or some combination of those options—and can be used in whatever way you’d like; for groceries, medication, or even utility bills.

New Proprietary Programs Work at Age 55

Borrowers who are not yet 62 but are 55 and over can also seek a reverse mortgage from one of the “Jumbo” or “Proprietary Programs” available.  HUD does not insure private programs, so no mortgage insurance is required.

The requirements and property eligibility criteria can be different but very similar, and borrowers who want to get their 62nd birthday immediately can always investigate one of the private programs to determine if it will meet their needs.

How Much Can I Receive from a Reverse Mortgage?

The amount of money you can receive from a reverse mortgage depends on a few factors:

  • Your Age
  • Home Value
  • Current Interest Rates

Your age plays a significant role because the older you are, the more money you qualify for when you take out the reverse mortgage.  The amount of money is based on principal limit factors, which give you more money as you age.  For example, if you’re a homeowner who owns your home, check out the examples below.

2023's Reverse Mortgage Principal Limit Factors

Age of BorrowerPrincipal Limit FactorCurrent Lending Limit
6238.9%$1,089,300
6541.0%$1,089,300
7044.5%$1,089,300
7547.3%$1,089,300
8051.6%$1,089,300
8557.5%$1,089,300
9064.0%$1,089,300
*Principal Limit Factors taken from HUD.gov using example expected rate of 5.410%. You must deduct reverse mortgage costs including upfront insurance (approx. 3%) to arrive at your NET principal limit.
PLF tables source: https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/august2017plftables.xls

 

 

Which Program Should I Choose?

There are a couple of different HECM programs to choose from: fixed rate and adjustable, lump sum distributions, and monthly payments or lines of credit from which the borrower can draw as needed/desired.  What is right or best is what is right or best for the borrowers’ circumstances.  The fixed-rate loan seems attractive to many borrowers, but there are several downfalls borrowers must consider.

Namely, fixed rates require a full draw of all sums available.  If you do not need all the money to pay off existing liens, HUD requirements on their program only allow a portion of the line to be accessed in the first 12 months and on a fixed rate loan with no subsequent draws available, any amount not available in the initial draw is lost to the borrower.

Also, since fixed rates are often higher than adjustable rates and interest rates determine how much money a borrower will receive, adjustable-rate borrowers often receive higher benefits in today’s interest-rate environment.

Finally, the adjustable program gives borrowers more options regarding how they will receive their funds (remember, with the fixed rate, the only option is a one-time full draw of all funds available).  Borrowers who choose an adjustable-rate loan have several options for receiving their loan proceeds, including a line of credit, monthly payments, or even a lump sum.

The funds in the line of credit grow annually at the same rate as the interest accrual rate plus the MIP accrual rate on the unused portion.  This is not interest you are earning but relatively greater borrowing power later as the growth amount increases the available line.

You only owe what you borrow and accrue interest on the outstanding balance, so having the additional money available costs you nothing and only needs to be repaid later if you draw and use those funds.

Age FAQs

Q.

What is the minimum age for a HECM Reverse Mortgage?

HUD has established the minimum age for a HECM reverse mortgage borrower to be 62 by the time the loan closes.
Q.

What is the minimum age for a Jumbo Reverse Mortgage?

Generally, jumbo programs also use a 62-year-old minimum age, but several programs are now available for borrowers down to 55 years of age.
Q.

Can my spouse under the age of 62 be protected?

The HUD HECM allows for an “eligible non-borrowing spouse” under 62; However, they cannot access the reverse mortgage funds if the eligible borrower were to leave home; they can remain in the home for life by following the same reverse mortgage provisions (live in the home as their primary residence, pay the taxes, insurance and any other property charges in a timely manner and also reasonably maintain the home).
Q.

Is there any age limitation to getting a reverse mortgage?

To get a reverse mortgage, borrowers must be at least 62 years of age for the HUD HECM program, and there are programs available down to age 55 on the jumbo or private reverse mortgage programs.
Q.

Can you outlive a reverse mortgage?

You can outlive the benefits under a reverse mortgage by drawing all available funds.  Still, you can live in the home mortgage-payment-free for as long as you continue to pay the taxes, insurance, and property charges, even after your available funds are gone.  The earlier you take the loan, the longer your balance will accrue interest.  While it’s not required, you can make payments—even if it’s just on the interest—on your reverse mortgage throughout the loan term.

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