Hello Marlin,

The answer is neither!  The loan amount is not affected by married or single status.  However, it is determined by the age of the youngest borrower on the loan.  So, if both borrowers are the same age, then the loan amount is the same as if it were both or just one of them, and it would not make any difference which one.  If one borrower were significantly younger than the other, the younger borrower’s age would lower the eligible benefit as that individual can also stay in the home for life without having to make a mortgage payment. 

Theoretically and according to actuarial tables, an individual who is 62 should be able to remain in the home longer and accrue more interest on the loan than someone who is 85.  Therefore, the HUD calculator will allow an 85-year-old borrower a higher initial loan amount because the borrower will not stay in the home and accrue as much interest as a 62-year-old borrower under normal circumstances. 

Other factors can affect life expectancies that HUD does not use and married vs. unmarried status influence one of those unused factors that actuarial tables have shown.  HUD does not take physical infirmity, lifestyles such as activity levels or healthy vs. non-healthy habits (smoking, drinking, etc.) into account, or any other factors other than age; it is the only individual characteristic that will affect the amount the borrower(s) will receive other than property values, interest rates and 2023 lending limits which are program driven.