As we step into 2024, the landscape of reverse mortgage refinancing is evolving, bringing new opportunities and considerations for existing reverse mortgage holders.

Our guide is tailored to provide you with the most up-to-date information on the new 2024 HECM limits, current rates, and expert tips to consider when refinancing your reverse mortgage.

ARLO explaining how a reverse mortgage refinance works

When should you consider refinancing your reverse mortgage?

  1. Your home value has increased considerably.
  2. You originally obtained your loan when the lending limit was less than the 2024 HECM limit of $1,149,825.  Your value is at or higher than the HUD limit, especially the limit that was in effect when you closed your loan.
  3. You are adding a younger spouse now who was not age 62 at the time you did the loan, and they were also not an eligible non-borrowing spouse to protect them from having to sell the home upon your death, or they are covered as an eligible non-borrowing spouse.  However, you have a large line of credit still unborrowed and must ensure the spouse can access additional funds.
  4. To benefit substantially from a lower interest rate or margin.
  5. Refinance into a larger proprietary or jumbo reverse mortgage plan.

Increase in 2024 HECM refinance limits

If your home value has increased considerably since you closed your original loan, you can sometimes refinance to obtain more money.  Small increases will not typically bring a large enough net gain to borrowers to make a refinance worthwhile or viable, as we will discuss later in refinance qualifications.

Homeowners with homes with values higher than the HUD limit when their loans were closed are most likely to benefit from a refinance at the new higher limits, but not always.

Before 2008, the HUD limit varied by county; the highest limit was $362,790.  In 2008, the limit became one uniform national limit of  $417,000.  In 2009, the limit was raised to $625,500, where it stayed for several years before it began to increase in 2015 as housing prices rose.

HUD HECM borrowers with homes valued higher than the limits when they originally closed before 2024’s current limit of $1,149,825 have an excellent chance to receive more cash benefits.

How refinancing can protect a non-borrowing spouse

Couples often removed a younger spouse from the title before 2015 to close a reverse mortgage when one of the two spouses was not yet 62.  The loans borrowers closed with younger borrowers before 2015 no longer must be repaid when the older spouse passes, and the younger spouse can continue to live in the property as long as they were married when the loan closed.  They have continuously lived in the property since that time. 

However, since those spouses are not borrowers on the loan, they will not have access to those funds.  In this event, a refinance may be needed to allow the younger spouse to access future reverse mortgage proceeds.  By refinancing these loans with today’s HUD guidelines, younger spouses would-be borrowers.  Therefore, they could access the unborrowed funds in the line of credit.

Even if that younger spouse is still under 62, the couple can refinance the loan if they qualify under the current HUD program parameters using the “eligible non-borrowing spouse” designation.  This would not give the still eligible non-borrowing spouse access to funds if the borrowing spouse were to pass with funds still unused on the line, but it might allow the borrowers to increase the amount of funds available should they be needed now.

As an eligible non-borrowing spouse, the younger spouse may remain on title and stay in the home for life under the existing loan’s terms without making a mortgage payment – even if the older spouse should predecease the younger spouse in either instance.

Borrowers looking to refinance with the sole motivation of a lower interest rate may be disappointed.  Still, for some borrowers with high exiting rates, mortgage insurance renewals, and servicing fees, there may be a good opportunity at this time.  This would be especially true if more funds were available in the line of credit growing faster.

In addition to receiving more cash, you may get a lower rate and a lower margin, and maybe even eliminate a fee such as a servicing fee, which lowers the interest you accrue over time.  You would need to review your current terms to make this determination, as not all loans required servicing fees, but many of the older loans did.

The loan must make sense.  Instruct lenders to complete the loan if the loan is beneficial.  However, there is more latitude regarding what constitutes “beneficial” when adding a previously ineligible spouse or drastically benefiting your circumstances.  Remember, more money is not the only factor that makes the loan beneficial for you (just as getting more money may not make it a better deal for you and your circumstances).

Refinance to take advantage of new types of reverse mortgages

The last point is that with the reintroduction of the jumbo or proprietary programs, which offer loans to higher loan amounts, borrowers with higher-valued homes have more options.  Many borrowers accepted a lower loan amount on higher-valued homes under the HUD program because it was the only program available for many years.

Those borrowers can now look at the jumbo products for higher property values to free up equity for other purposes and possibly refinance their lower HUD loans with the higher jumbo programs for higher-valued properties (homes valued over the HUD limit of $1,149,825).

Also See: 3 Types of Reverse Mortgages

Reverse mortgage refinance qualifications

HUD and private programs require you to have a significant equity position in your home to refinance a reverse mortgage.  HUD generally requires borrowers to pass a “5-times benefit rule” to qualify to refinance a reverse mortgage with a new reverse mortgage.  This rule exists for both HUD and proprietary or jumbo loans.  However, some exceptions may be made.

The rule is explained below, and it protects borrowers from equity stripping, which comes from constant refinances that do not benefit the borrower but accrue fees.  You must receive at least 10% of the new principal limit in additional reverse mortgage proceeds for the HUD HECM to HECM refinance to meet the test.

This would mean that if your Principal Limit is $300,000, you would have to receive at least $30,000 in net proceeds from the refinance loan in addition to the net proceeds being at least 5 times the costs of the loan.

Your interest rate or margin should be improved, but in a rising interest rate market, this is not necessary.  Exceptions may be made when the loan protects or significantly benefits the borrowers.  Such a case adds a non-borrowing spouse to your loan, making them eligible to access funds in the line of credit when previously unavailable.

Another example is when the new loan would drop the accrual rate by a significant amount, saving the borrowers thousands in interest accrual within the next 5 years (and even more over a more extended period).  There is a 12-month minimum time between loans before you can apply to refinance your current reverse mortgage with a new reverse mortgage.

The 5-times refinance benefit rule explained

To determine if a borrower meets the 5 times benefit rule, you must take all the costs incurred to close the new loan and multiply those by 5.  The amount of money, or the benefit to the borrower by getting the new loan, should be at least this much.  In other words, the benefit to the borrower should be at least five times the cost of the loan.  

Suppose the new loan does not give the borrower at least 5 times the costs in additional cash (above and beyond any money still available to the borrower on the existing loan).  The lender will only make an exception to grant the loan if the borrower adds a spouse not previously eligible or significantly lowers their accrual rate.  This is how lenders ensure that refinance loans benefit borrowers and are not merely churned to generate fees for originators.  If the loan doesn’t truly benefit the borrowers, the loan will not be closed. 

An excellent way to illustrate this is that if all the costs for the new loan would total $10,000, then the borrower would have to net $50,000 more on the new loan (there is a formula that the lenders must follow per HUD guidelines which also accounts for servicing set-asides but for simplicity sake, this is a simplification of the policy).

Additional resource: HUD mortgagee letter regarding the 5x benefit rule.

New MIP formula for HECM refinance transactions

When refinancing a reverse mortgage, you might wonder if the full 2% Up-Front Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP) applies again.  Here’s the breakdown:

Initially, for your first reverse mortgage, the UFMIP is 2% of either your property’s value or HUD’s maximum lending limit, whichever is less.  If you decide to refinance, HUD offers credit for the UFMIP paid on the preceding loan, which often means you’ll owe little to nothing for your first refinance.

However, if you refinance again, credit for UFMIP from past refinances may be minimal or nonexistent, especially if your previous refinance incurred a low UFMIP.  For instance, if you’re on your third reverse mortgage and considering a fourth, only UFMIP from the third mortgage will count as credit toward the fourth.

Let’s illustrate with an example:

  • Your first reverse mortgage in 2019 was based on a property value or a HUD claim amount of $726,525, leading to a UFMIP of $14,530.50.
  • By 2022, your home’s value will appreciate, and you refinance when the HUD max lending limit is $970,800, resulting in a potential UFMIP difference of $244,275.  With a 3% charge on this difference, you’d expect to pay $7,328.25.  However, you owe nothing because of the credit from your first mortgage’s UFMIP.

UFMIP calculations remain consistent for subsequent refinances, but the credit applied will depend on the UFMIP paid on the most recent loan only.  If no UFMIP was paid previously, no credit will be available for the next refinance.

For example, suppose your home is valued at $1,200,000 in January 2024, and you refinance (above the HUD limit of $1,149,825).  In that case, the new UFMIP will be calculated on a difference in the value of $179,025, resulting in a UFMIP of $5,370.75 due for this refinance.

This dynamic calculation makes it challenging for lenders to provide precise UFMIP quotes without comprehensive information on all previous loans, fees paid, and credits received.  Accurate figures can only be determined with a full history of the borrower’s refinancing transactions.

Additional closing costs to consider

The costs you must incur are all the same as when you got your first reverse mortgage (title, escrow, appraisal, origination fee, etc.) except for one big difference: the mortgage insurance calculations.  The mortgage insurance costs on the first refinance of your reverse mortgage are much lower.  Unless your home value increases significantly, you may not even be required to pay any new upfront mortgage insurance.

With HUD’s Final Rule in September 2017, they changed the initial mortgage insurance premium calculation for refinance transactions.  It is a little complicated now, but the result is that borrowers pay less when refinancing their reverse mortgages with a new reverse mortgage, and borrowers receive a credit based on the fee they paid on their last reverse mortgage.

Without going into the whole calculation, the lender will look at the value of your property when you took out your last loan and subtract it from your current value.  They will multiply that number by .03, and if the answer is less than what you already paid on your last transaction, you will not be required to pay anything more on your next loan refinance.

There is a possible caveat to this for properties that have increased in value by more than $548,250 since the last reverse mortgage, but we have yet to see one that meets this, so we will stick with the rule that applies to almost all borrowers.

Counseling requirements

You must complete the counseling again, even if you have already completed the course.  You must complete your counseling before the reverse mortgage lender can order any services on your loan (appraisal, title, etc.). 

HUD does not require re-counseling if the borrowers have gone through their counseling within the past 5 years and still have their certificates, but most states now require counseling in all instances.  Check with your lender to determine if counseling is necessary in your state if you counseled less than 5 years ago.

Some states have even more requirements, such as CA, which imposes a cooling off period of 7 days after the counseling when the lender still cannot begin working on the loan.  Remember that if you are going from a HUD HECM to a proprietary program, you must complete the counseling for that specific program.

Since private programs are a little different, lenders require that you attend a counseling course for that specific program to be sure you understand the new product.

HECM Reverse Mortgage Refinance Rates

Fixed RateAdjustable RateLending Limit
7.560% (8.996% APR)6.760% (1.750 Margin)$1,149,825
7.680% (9.136% APR)7.010% (2.000 Margin)$1,149,825
7.810% (9.288% APR)7.260% (2.250 Margin)$1,149,825
7.930% (9.427% APR)7.510% (2.500 Margin)$1,149,825
HECM Refinance Rates Effective 01/22/24

Jumbo Reverse Mortgage Refinance Rates

Fixed RateAdjustable RateLending Limit
9.375% (9.869% APR)11.635% (6.625 Margin)$4,000,000
9.740% (10.268% APR)11.760% (6.750 Margin)$4,000,000
9.990% (10.542% APR)11.885% (6.875 Margin)$4,000,000
Jumbo Refinance Rates Effective 01/22/24

Try our reverse mortgage refinance calculator for real-time reverse mortgage quotes, including rates & APR.

Refinance FAQs

Q.

Can you refinance if you have a reverse mortgage?

Yes.  The guidelines on a reverse mortgage permit the refinancing of the loan to a new reverse mortgage loan as long as the new loan provides a tangible benefit to the borrower.  A tangible benefit is determined by the amount of net proceeds available or the addition of a new spouse.  Two tests must be passed to deem the refinance beneficial: the proceeds test and the closing cost test (commonly referred to as 5-1).  The proceeds test is straightforward and requires that the new loan provide proceeds of 5% of the new Principal Limit.  The closing cost test or 5-1 test requires that the new Principal Limit be at least 5 times the closing costs higher than the current loan Principal Limit.
Q.

What are the HECM to HECM refinance guidelines?

To qualify for a HECM refinance, you must have your existing reverse mortgage seasoned for 18 months.  Additionally, the new reverse mortgage would need to pass both benefit tests (Proceeds and closing Costs) or provide the benefit of adding a new spouse to the loan.
Q.

What are the closing costs or fees for a reverse mortgage refinance?

When refinancing your reverse mortgage, you will encounter various closing costs, including title, escrow, and appraisal fees.  Notably, the portion of the Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) initially paid on your first reverse mortgage won’t be charged again when you refinance for the first time.  However, should there be an increase in your home’s value, the additional MIP cost, calculated based on the home’s new value, will be added to your refinancing costs.  It’s also noteworthy that lenders may offer credits to cover some or all of these fees when refinancing, depending on market conditions.  Although these costs exist, your lender might absorb some of them on your behalf.
Q.

Can you refinance a reverse mortgage into a conventional loan?

Yes.  You can refinance from a reverse mortgage into any conventional mortgage, HELOC, etc.  Reverse mortgages have no prepayment penalties and provide a monthly statement that always outlines your current outstanding loan balance.  When you apply for a new mortgage, the lender will submit a demand for a payoff like any other refinance process.
Q.

Can you take out a second reverse mortgage?

Not likely.  While reverse mortgages allow for subordinate financing, you will not likely find a lending institution interested in lending a second behind a reverse mortgage due to its negative amortizing nature.  Suppose you want to take additional cash out from your home’s equity and already have a reverse mortgage.  In that case, your best bet is to refinance the reverse mortgage into a larger HECM loan or a traditional mortgage.  Some FHA loan programs will lend behind a reverse mortgage.
Q.

What is the difference between a refinance and a reverse mortgage?

A traditional refinance is when a borrower refinances a “forward mortgage” into another mortgage to benefit from a lower interest rate or take cash out for home improvement, debt consolidation, etc.  A reverse mortgage is an entirely different program that serves seniors aged 62 and older, offering the ability to eliminate the mortgage payment for the borrower’s expected lifetime.
Q.

What is the 5 times rule for reverse mortgages?

The “5 times rule” that people often refer to for reverse mortgages is a reference to the benefit tests required to refinance a reverse mortgage loan to a new reverse mortgage loan.  The first 5 refers to the closing cost test.  To pass this benefit test, the new loan must exceed the existing loan amount by a dollar amount of at least 5 times the closing costs to get the new loan.  For example, if the closing costs are $5,000, the new loan must be at least $25,000 larger than the existing loan.  The second 5 refers to the proceeds test.  To pass this benefit test, the new loan must provide for a minimum of 5% of the new loan amount as available cash proceeds.  For example, if the new available loan amount is $200,000, the borrower must receive at least $10,000 in available proceeds.  To refinance a reverse mortgage, the homeowner must pass these benefit tests.
Q.

Am I required to stay with my current lender, or am I free to refinance with any reverse mortgage lender?

You’re not limited to your current lender for refinancing your reverse mortgage; you can explore options with any reverse mortgage lender available in the market.
Q.

Can a jumbo reverse mortgage be used to refinance a government HECM loan?

Yes, a jumbo reverse mortgage can refinance an existing government HECM loan.  To ascertain if this option is appropriate for you, kindly contact our office with your most recent reverse mortgage statement, allowing us to conduct the required calculations to determine its advantage.
Q.

Can I be added to my parent’s reverse mortgage instead of refinancing if I am 62?

You cannot be added to an existing reverse mortgage as a new borrower.  The terms of a reverse mortgage are established based on the youngest borrower’s age at the time of loan closure, along with other considerations like property value, interest rates, and life expectancy projections.  Due to unpredictable repayment timelines, adding borrowers after the fact would complicate risk calculations and benefits determination.  However, your parents can refinance their reverse mortgage, incorporating you into the title now that you’re 62.  At this age, you’re at the minimum threshold for eligibility, meaning you might qualify for the least amount the program offers.  For the refinance to be feasible without additional cash input to cover any shortfall between the available benefits and the amount owed on the current loan, the property’s value must have significantly increased or been valued above the HUD limit initially.  While challenging, this scenario might work if the property has appreciated substantially or the existing loan was secured when HUD’s valuation limits on higher-value homes were lower.
Q.

How long after my initial reverse mortgage can I refinance?

You can refinance your initial reverse mortgage, but HUD has regulations to prevent frequent refinancing, ensuring that there must be tangible benefits to the borrower before approving a refinance. Additionally, industry standards and most lenders have adopted an 18-month waiting period as an ethical guideline to protect borrowers from being encouraged to refinance too frequently.
Q.

Is an appraisal required for refinancing a reverse mortgage?

Like any other refinance, it’s a new loan and will be treated as such.  That means you will have a new appraisal with an interior and exterior inspection, and the lender will review your income and creditworthiness.
Q.

I am currently paying 1.25% mortgage insurance on a reverse mortgage.  Can this be reduced to the currently going rate of 0.5%?

Like any other refinance, it’s a new loan and will be treated as such.  That means you will have a new appraisal with an interior and exterior inspection, and the lender will review your income and creditworthiness.
Q.

Can I add a sibling to my reverse mortgage without refinancing it?

Once a reverse mortgage loan has been closed, you cannot add another borrower to the existing loan.  You can add her to the title so that the property would pass to her if anything happens to you if you wish, but the loan would be due at that time, and she would need to refinance the loan then or sell the home.
Q.

Will my overdue property taxes be paid off if I refinance my reverse mortgage?

Any outstanding taxes would need to be paid off to refinance your loan.  Additionally, under HUD’s current guidelines, you must establish a Life Expectancy Set Aside (LESA) account for future tax and insurance payments.  This means you must have enough funds from the refinance to cover your existing loan and the LESA.  I urge you to explore this option promptly.  If refinancing is not feasible, it’s important to note that keeping current with your taxes and insurance is a requirement of your existing loan.  Being delinquent on your taxes places you in default, risking the loan being called due and payable.  Should refinancing not be possible and you’re unable to settle the due taxes, consider alternatives like selling the property and moving to a more affordable one.  This proactive approach is crucial before potentially losing control over such decisions if the loan is called due.
Q.

Will I have to complete all the same paperwork again to refinance my reverse mortgage?

When refinancing your reverse mortgage, it’s important to understand that this constitutes a new loan agreement.  You must complete all the requisite documentation as you did for your initial loan.  In fact, additional documentation may be required depending on the timing of your first loan.  For instance, if your original loan was issued before HUD implemented financial assessment guidelines, which include reviewing the income and credit history of reverse mortgage borrowers, you may have yet to provide income verification or proof of payment history previously.  However, HUD now mandates these requirements for all loans, so be prepared to supply this information during refinancing.
Q.

Can I do a reverse mortgage if I recently refinanced my home?

The key factor determining your eligibility for a reverse mortgage after a recent refinance is whether you took cash out during that process.  If your refinancing did not involve taking cash out, you can apply for a reverse mortgage immediately without needing to wait.  However, if you did take cash out during your recent refinancing, you are required to wait 12 months before you can qualify to replace that loan with a reverse mortgage.  This 12-month seasoning period is mandated explicitly for scenarios involving cash-out refinancing.
Q.

If I’m the only one on the reverse mortgage but live with someone else, can I refinance without their involvement?

Refinancing your reverse mortgage does not necessitate documentation from individuals living in your home, provided they have no legal interest in the property.  This applies whether the resident is a family member, a renter, or a non-owner sharing your living space.  If the person cohabitating with you is neither a spouse nor listed as an owner on the property title, their documentation is not required for the refinancing process of your loan.