What Exactly Is a Reverse Mortgage?

Transcript of Podcast Episode 387

Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode: so what exactly is a reverse mortgage?

It’s hard to miss all the talk these days about reverse mortgages as an income tool for retirees. Some experts like them, some experts don’t. But what are they and how do they work?

For many Americans, their biggest asset is the equity they have in their home. Some might not have saved much for retirement. But after years, perhaps decades, of living in the same home, they’ve built up their home equity through appreciation and amortization of their mortgage. When they look at their balance sheets, that becomes their biggest plus.

What options do people have if they get to retirement age, have limited retirement savings, and realize that Social Security just isn’t going to be enough? A reverse mortgage is one possible answer.

A reverse mortgage is available for homeowners aged 62 and over. It is a way to fund retirement by borrowing against the equity you’ve built up in your home. The more home equity you have, the better. But it’s certainly not for everyone.

A reverse mortgage is not the same thing as a home equity line of credit, or HELOC. It’s called a reverse mortgage because instead of you making monthly payments to the bank, the bank makes monthly payments to you. The income you get from a reverse mortgage is generally not taxable. You can use that income as needed to cover monthly expenses, including such things as home maintenance, property taxes, or, if needed, home health care expenses.[1]

A reverse mortgage isn’t free. The amount you owe against your house, which includes the principal and accruing interest, increases as you receive your monthly payments. So over time, your home equity decreases. You are essentially trading a little bit of your home equity every month for current income.

Note that you typically don’t have to repay the mortgage as long as you continue to use the home as your primary residence. But if you decide to sell your house or move out, the full balance will become due. If you die before you move out, in most cases your executor will sell the home and use the proceeds to pay back the accumulated reverse mortgage debt.[2]

Reverse mortgages generally come in three different varieties. The first, and by far the most common, are loans overseen by the Federal Housing Authority. These are known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages or HECMs. The homeowner has discretion over what to use the funds for, but before closing, they must meet with a counselor approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This one requirement is designed to help curb fraud and abuse.

HECMs account for approximately 95 percent of all reverse mortgages.[3] They are more regulated than other types of reverse mortgages and offer some extra protection. For one thing, neither you nor your heirs will ever owe more than the house is worth, even if it goes down in value. And if your lender goes out of business, the federal insurance program guarantees that you will still receive your monthly payments.[4]

The maximum you can borrow under the federal program in 2026 is $1,249,125.[5] You will typically need to have at least 50 percent equity in your home (based on appraised value) to qualify. Reverse mortgages typically have adjustable interest rates. Note that the income from a reverse mortgage usually comes in the form of a monthly payment, but that’s not a requirement. It can also be in a lump sum.

The two other less common types of reverse mortgages are “single-purpose reverse mortgages,” which are backed by a nonprofit organization or a state or local government, and “proprietary reverse mortgages,” which are offered by private organizations without any government backing.

Reverse mortgages have had a somewhat mixed reputation over the years. For one thing, the fees involved can be considerable. A reverse mortgage typically has origination fees, mortgage insurance premiums, closing costs and monthly servicing fees, all of which add up.[6]

And there are still some scams out there. Some fraudsters will entice vulnerable seniors with misleading or fraudulent claims. One of those might be when a potential intermediary tries to get you into a reverse mortgage, then uses the money for some sort of “investment opportunity” that they control. They will then typically end up pocketing some of your home’s equity themselves.[7] One way to avoid scams like this is to start with a trusted financial advisor or your current lender.

Are there other potential solutions? Of course. The most obvious is, if possible, to save more at an earlier age and allow compound interest to work its magic. But for a lot of people, that’s just not possible. For some people, a reverse mortgage is another option. There are caveats, but this may be a good choice in the right circumstances. A reverse mortgage is not the perfect solution, but for some, depending on their situation, it may be the most viable one.

[1] Equifax Life Stages. “What is a Reverse Mortgage and How Does it Work?” Equifax.com. https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/credit/score/articles/-/learn/reverse-mortgage/ (accessed May 19, 2026).

[2] Id.

[3] Yale, Aly J. “What Is a Reverse Mortgage?” AARP.org. https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/reverse-mortgage-guide/ (accessed May 19, 2026).

[4] Id.

[5] Johnson, Jamie. “HECM Loan Limits: What They Are and How They Work in 2026.” Themortgagereports.com. https://themortgagereports.com/124868/hecm-loan-limits (accessed May 20, 2026).

[6] Miller, Peter G. “Reverse mortgage pros and cons.” Bankrate.com. https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/reverse-mortgage-pros-and-cons/#cons (accessed May 20, 2026).

[7] Goff, Kacie. “Reverse mortgage scams: What they are and how to avoid them.” Bankrate.com. https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/reverse-mortgage-scams/#common-scams (accessed May 20, 2026).

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