The new reverse mortgage rules: Are they right for your retirement plan?
The reverse mortgage rules that became effective on Aug. 4, 2014 should address any concerns held by married couples who are contemplating taking out such loans. Reverse mortgages, which are also called Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM), are home loans for those who are age 62 or older that allow them to convert the equity that they have in their home into cash. They provide a way for homeowners to receive additional income during their retirement years. The loan is required to be paid upon the death of the borrower, a change in residence of the borrower or sale of the home.
However, one complication that has arisen is that when husbands have taken out reverse mortgages, upon their death, their wives were unable to pay off the loans, and were faced with foreclosure. As a result, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was the defendant in a class action lawsuit filed by AARP, which alleged that HUD failed to protect the women.
Under the new rules, if one spouse takes out a reverse mortgage, and later dies, the surviving spouse can keep residing in the home without any apprehension about foreclosure provided that she or he pays the tax and insurance, and maintains the home. The new rules also state that a couple can still obtain a reverse mortgage where only one of the spouses is 62 or older. And the younger spouse’s age will determine the amount of the couple’s payout even in the event that that spouse is not on the mortgage title. In this way, the amount of the loan will be smaller.
Reverse mortgages are complex financial products, and if you are considering one, you should consult an attorney or trusted financial adviser.
The elder law attorneys at Hook Law Center assist Virginia families with will preparation, trust & estate administration, guardianships and conservatorships, long-term care planning, special needs planning, veterans benefits, and more. To learn more, visit https://api.hooklaw.net/ or call 757-399-7506.
