History of the Reverse Mortgage – 1961 to Present Day Facts

HECM Reverse Mortgage Program Milestones (1961–2026)

YearKey DevelopmentImpact
1961First reverse mortgage issued in Portland, MaineLocal bank helps widow remain in her home
1969Concept presented to Senate Committee on AgingReverse mortgage gains national attention
1983Senate approves first FHA proposalSets stage for FHA involvement
1988President Reagan signs HECM lawHUD gains authority to insure reverse mortgages
1994Disclosure regulations introducedImproves transparency for borrowers
1998HECM program made permanentFull safeguards and disclosure rules added
2006Loan limits established ($417,000)Standardizes borrowing amounts
2009HECM for Purchase introducedExpands program to home purchases
2009National HECM loan limit established ($625,500)Expanded access to higher-value homes
2010MIP raised to 1.25%; floor cut to 5%Adjusts costs and loan calculations
2015Financial assessment + non-borrowing spouse protectionsStronger consumer safeguards
2017Annual MIP reduced to 0.50%Lowers ongoing costs for borrowers
2020Floor rate lowered to 3%Lowered proceeds in high-rate environments
2023Lending limit tied to 150% of conforming loan limit ($1,089,300)Increased borrowing potential
2023Transition to CME Term SOFRModernizes program away from LIBOR
2024HECM lending limit increased to $1,149,825Reflects conforming loan limit adjustment
2024Servicing rules updatedReduces costs and improves efficiency
2025HECM lending limit increased to $1,209,750Keeps pace with national housing market growth
2026HECM lending limit increased to $1,249,125Lowest limit increase in last decade reflecting slowing home values

Bringing It to the Senate

Reverse mortgages have undergone many changes in their 65-year lifespan (depending on who you ask). As the story goes, a small, local bank wrote the first reverse mortgage in 1961 to a woman in Portland, Maine. The bank owner wanted to help the wife of his high school football coach stay in her home after her husband passed away.

From there, the product took off and continues to help more older Americans remain in their homes as they age.

1969

It wasn’t until 1969 that the reverse mortgage concept was brought to the Senate Committee on Aging. Yung Ping Chen, a professor from UCLA, was the one to share his support of the product that would allow homeowners to tap into their equity to stay in their homes as they aged. The committee was intrigued by the idea.

1983

The first proposal, approved by the Senate, was in 1983 and was brought by former Senator John Heinz. This proposal made the reverse mortgage product insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).

1984

Then, in 1984, American Homestead presented the Century Plan, which was somewhat of a baseline for reverse mortgages insured by the government.

1987

In 1987, a bill was passed by Congress called the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Demonstration. It was the pilot program that insures reverse mortgages.

Source: HUD Mortgagee Letter 88-38

1988

Following the pilot program, President Ronald Reagan signed the reverse mortgage bill into law in 1988, and HUD gained the right to insure reverse mortgages through FHA. The first FHA-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) was issued to a woman in Kansas in 1989.

Source: Congressional Research Service Report R44128

1994

The first set of regulations came in 1994 when Congress required lenders to disclose the total annual loan costs to borrowers at the beginning of the application process. Then, in 1996, the program changed to allow residences with up to four units to apply for a reverse mortgage as long as the borrower occupies one unit as their primary residence.

1998

The HECM program was officially deemed permanent in 1998 with the HUD Appropriations Act. Some safeguards were also implemented at this time, such as full disclosure fees, to protect borrowers from unnecessary charges.

The Millennium Brings Changes

Time for change in reverse mortgage industry

2000

As the new millennium kicked in, HUD announced that there would be an increase in origination fees for reverse mortgages. It was changed to either 2% of the maximum claim amount or $2,000.

2001

In 2001, HUD partnered with AARP to start testing and training approved reverse mortgage counselors, and establish HECM counseling policies and procedures. The following significant change to the HECM program came in 2004 when FHA added rules about refinancing HECMs. Then, in 2005, HECM refinances were made legal.

2006

The establishment of a loan limit came in 2006. At this time, the limit was $417,000. Then, the first group of Baby Boomers started turning 62 in 2008, when someone could apply for a reverse mortgage. In 2009, the HECM for Purchase was introduced.

2010 to Present

The modern reverse mortgage era

Between 2010 and the present, several changes have been made to improve the HECM product. The recession left many people skeptical about how and whether a HECM could protect them as they age. Among the changes:

  • 2010: MIP raised from 0.25% to 1.25%; interest rate floor reduced to 5.0%.
  • 2013: HUD rolled out new HECM safety policies; discontinued the HECM Saver variant.
  • 2014: Financial assessment guidelines finalized.
  • 2015: Formal financial assessments and non-borrowing spouse protections were fully implemented.
  • 2017: Annual HECM MIP cut to 0.50%.
  • 2020: HUD reduced the HECM floor rate from 5.0% to 3.0%, increasing borrower proceeds during lower interest rate environments.
  • 2023: Lending limit tied to 150% of the national conforming loan limit, raising the HECM cap to $1,089,300; adjustable-rate HECMs transitioned from LIBOR to CME Term SOFR.
  • 2024: HECM lending limit increased to $1,149,825; mortgage servicing requirements updated to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
  • 2025: HECM lending limit increased again to $1,209,750, keeping pace with national housing market growth.
  • 2026: HECM lending limit increased again to $1,249,125, the smallest percentage increase in the last decade, as a result of weakening home values.

Curious About Today’s Reverse Mortgage? See how far the program has come. Get a free quote from All Reverse Mortgage, Inc. (ARLO™) — America’s #1 rated lender with a 4.99/5-star rating! Call (800) 565-1722 or click here for your free quote.

Additional Resources:

  • A Brief History of the HECM Program: Testimony of Peter H. Bell (.PDF Document)