How Could an FHA Reverse Mortgage Affect Retirement?

A FHA reverse mortgages are available toequity is available.
homeowners who are at least 62 years of age andThe funds can be disbursed in many different ways
who own the home in which they live. This financialand tailored to the needs of the borrowers. The
product can help seniors who do not have sufficientdifferent disbursement options include a lump sum, a
income to meet their monthly needs, but do haveline of credit, monthly advance, or a combination of
equity in their home. The FHA reverse mortgagethese options. The funds received from an FHA
works by liquidating that equity in order to eliminatereverse mortgage can be used however the
monthly mortgage payments, disburse payments tohomeowners wish. Common uses for the money are
the homeowner, or both. Provided that theto supplement monthly incomes, to finance health care,
homeowners remain current on their obligations, theand to eliminate other monthly expenses, but there are
homeowner is not required to repay any of the loanabsolutely no restrictions on the use of these funds.
balance until they no longer occupy the home.Could the FHA Reverse Mortgage Affect my
An FHA Reverse Mortgage Can Make RetirementGovernment Benefits?
ComfortableDepending on the type of assistance a homeowner
A common misconception about this product is thatreceives, an FHA reverse mortgage could affect their
homeowners must own their homes free and clear ineligibility to continue receiving it. Though the existence
order to utilize this product. The truth is, one of theof this financial product itself does not affect any
main uses of this financial product is to eliminateeligibility requirements, the funds a homeowner
monthly mortgage payments. Without the burden ofreceives from this product could.
monthly mortgage payments, homeowners have extraIf a homeowner receives an entitlement-based benefit,
cash available to help maintain or improve theirthis financial product will not affect their eligibility.
standard of living. While there are no monthlyFederal entitlement programs in the United States
mortgage payments required, as long as at least oneinclude Social Security and Medicare. These programs
homeowner remains using the home as their primaryare both based upon factors such as the recipient's
residence, homeowner's insurance, real estate taxes,age and job history and, therefore, will never be
and home repairs continue to be the responsibility ofaffected by an FHA reverse mortgage.
the homeowner.Programs such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security
How Can the Funds from an FHA Reverse MortgageIncome are considered need based and could be
Be Used?affected by the proceeds from this financial product. In
If the homeowner has enough equity, he or she canorder to be certain that this product will not affect any
not only eliminate monthly mortgage payments, butfederal or state benefits, home owners should speak
receive additional funds from this financial product Thewith their caseworkers about the potential implication
amount of the additional funds will vary based uponof receiving money from an FHA reverse mortgage.
the home's value, homeowners' ages, and how much