Reverse mortgages are ideal for homeowners who are retired or no longer working and need to supplement their income. Interest rates can be fixed or adjustable and the money is nontaxable and does not interfere with Social Security or Medicare benefits. Your lender cannot take property away if you outlive your loan nor can you be forced to sell your home to pay off your loan even if the loan balance grows to exceed property value.

There are several different reverse mortgage programs. Fannie Mae Home Keeper®, Jumbo Cash-Out loan, and the HUD-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) are three such programs. As demand increases, more reverse mortgage programs from different organizations will become available.

It is called a reverse mortgage because you borrow money from a lender, but the lender makes monthly payments to you, rather than you making monthly payments to the lender. All interest is paid at the end of the loan, rather than in the beginning.

What are some of the benefits of a reverse mortgage?

• Strengthen your personal and financial independence.
• Help pay for health care or other needs.
• You can never lose your home in foreclosure as long as you maintain the property tax and insurance payments.
• The loan is only paid off when the house is sold by you or your heirs, or all borrowers move out of the house.
• Keep your Medicare or Social Security benefits.
• Use it as a credit line and draw upon it as needed.
• Get all your cash right away.
• Get the best of both—get cash now and have a balance in reserve to use as a credit line.
• No Income Requirements: The homeowner does not need to be working and is not qualified based on income.