A reverse mortgage lets hom👍eowners over 62 borrow money using home equity as collateral. The loan has to be repaid when the homeowner dies or moves from the property. This can be a helpful financing option for retire🀅d individuals who no longer have a stable income source, but there’s also a risk of outliving the reverse mortgage.
Here are a few ways to avoid that scenario.
Key Takeaways
- You can receive reverse mortgage funds in six different ways.
- Your home equity and age will determine how much money you receive.
- Consider what happens to a spouse who may outlive the proceeds.
Types of Reverse Mortgages
Learning about the different types of reverse mortgage options av🅠ailable in the market can help you find the one that best suits your financial and housing needs.
- Single lump sum: This offers a one-time, upfront payout based on your 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:home equity. As the only option with a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:fixed interest rate, a single lump sum can be appealing for homeowners who want predictable costs. However, it’s one of the riskiest options; lump sum reverse mortgage borrowers are more likely to default and face 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:foreclosure as they struggle to afford homeowners insurance, property taxes, or home repairs. They also face a greater risk of being scammed due to the sudden wealth influx.
- Line of credit: An irrevocable 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:credit line is when the lender can’t freeze, reduce, or cancel your line even if the housing market dips, your credit score drops, or your home loses value. The unused credit line may grow annually at the same adjustable interest rate you’re charged on the borrowed funds. Moreover, interest and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:mortgage insurance are charged only on borrowed amounts, not the full credit line.
- Term payment plan: This option provides 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:equal monthly payments for a set period. Once you reach the end of the term, your reverse mortgage is considered "maxed out" because you've hit your 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:principal limit, which is the maximum amount you're allowed to borrow based on your age, interest rates, and home value.
- Modified term payment plan: This option combines the two types discussed above. You get a fixed monthly payment for a set period along with access to a line of credit, so you have a predictable source of income as well as some flexibility to borrow more funds when needed. However, both the monthly payments and the available credit line will be smaller than what you’d get if you pick just one of the two.
- Tenure payment plan: This plan offers equal monthly payments for life, as long as at least one borrower resides in the home. The payments can be smaller for younger borrowers, but they provide a lifetime income guarantee. A tenured payment plan comes with an 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:adjustable interest rate, so the amount of interest you’re charged can fluctuate over time, and it can be difficult to predict the final repayment amount.
- Modified tenure payment plan: It’s similar to the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:tenure payment plan, but adds a small line of credit so you can access additional funds in times of need. However, the monthly payments are reduced compared to a regular tenure plan because some equity is allocated to fund the credit line.
Note
If your home’s value has increased significantly since you first applied for a reverse mortgage, consider 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:refinancing it to a💙ccess more funds. Maximum principal limits have increased over the years, so you may be able to get more value out of your equity.
How to A☂void Runnin♕g Out of Reverse Mortgage Proceeds
Considering the nature of reverse mortgages, younger borrowers with longer life expectancies have aꦬ greater chance of running out of the proceeds, leaving them to look for oဣther ways to fund their lifestyles. Here are some ways to avoid that situation.
- Wait before taking out a reverse mortgage: One of the easiest ways to avoid outliving your reverse mortgage is to simply delay taking one out. The longer you wait, the more funds you will have available to use because you won’t deplete everything in your early retirement years.
- Get a reverse mortgage line of credit early: Because a reverse mortgage line of credit grows over the years when unused, it may be a good idea to opt for it early and just let it increase.
Changing Your Current Plan
If you’ve already taken out a reverse mortgage and are worried about running out of proceeds, you may be able to change the plan to better suit your needs, depending on your plan and lender. If you didn’t choose the fixed-rate, 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:lump-sum option, it’s possible to change your payment plan, as long as you stay within ༒your reverse mortgage’s principal limit, the maximum amount you can borrow.
Changing your payment plan is often much easier and faster than refinancing, as you don’t have to go through the full application process again. It usually involves a small administrative fee, but it's still much cheaper than refinancing, which can come with more extensive fees and paperwork.
The Non-Borrowing Spouse Dilemma
If you have a younger, non-borrowing spouse, they are at risk of outliving the reverse mortgage proceeds if you die first. This can be problematic because non-borrowing spouses aren’t allowed to receive any payments after the borrower dꦜies.
Here are a few things that can be done ಞin such a situation.
- Sell the home: The non-borrowing spouse may have to sell the home and pay off the balance. However, this can be risky because the person would be left with no source of income and assets to depend on.
- Refinance: If the surviving spouse has enough income and good credit, they may qualify for a traditional mortgage to pay off the reverse mortgage.
- Stay in the home: If the reverse mortgage balance exceeds the value of the home (known as being "underwater"), selling the home or letting the lender foreclose would leave the surviving spouse with no place to live and no funds. In this case, it’s often best for the surviving spouse to stay in the home.
It’s important for the borrowing spouse to 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:consider alternatives and figure out w🐲ays early on for the surviving spouse to manage the reverse mortgage and future financial needs.
The Bottom Line
🍬 While a reverse mortgage can provide financial stability in retirement, it’s im𒀰portant to plan ahead, especially when a younger, non-borrowing spouse is involved. Research the different types of reverse mortgages available and consider talking to a financial advisor to figure out what works best for your unique situation.