A few ideas for advisers and their clients.
Reverse mortgages allow homeowners age 62 or better to convert the equity in their primary residence into a liquid, tax-free asset.
- Pay off your forward mortgage to reduce your monthly expenses.
- Re-model your home to accommodate aging limitations.
- Maintain a line of credit (that grows) for health emergencies and surprises.
- Cover monthly expenses and hold on to other assets while their value continues to grow.
- Cover monthly expenses and avoid selling assets at depressed values.
- Pay for health insurance during early retirement years until Medicare eligible at 65.
- Pay your Medicare Part B and Part D costs.
- Combine life tenure payments with Social Security and income generated by assets to replace your salary and and maintain your monthly routine of paying bills from new income.
- Pay for your children’s or grandchildren’s college or professional education.
- Maintain a “standby” cash reserve to get you through the ups and downs of investment markets and give you more flexibility.
- Combine proceeds with sale of one home to buy a new home without a forward mortgage and monthly mortgage payments (called a HECM for Purchase).
- Pay for long-term care needs.
- Fill the gap in a retirement plan caused by lower than expected returns on your assets.
- Pay for short term in-home care or physical therapy following an accident or medical episode.
- Pay for a retirement plan, estate plan, or will.
- Convert a room or basement to a living facility for an aging parent, relative, or caregiver.
- Set up transportation arrangements for when you are no longer comfortable driving.
- Create a set-aside to pay real estate taxes and property insurance.
- Delay collecting Social Security benefit until it maxes out at age 70.
- Eliminate credit card debt and avoid building new credit debt.
- Cover monthly expenses in between jobs or during career transition without utilizing other saved assets.
- Cover expenses and avoid capital gains tax consequences of selling off other assets.
- Purchase health-related technology that enables you to age-in-place.
- Pay for an Uber or Lyft account so you have mobility and access to appointments and social activities.
- Help your adult children through family emergencies.
Credit: HECM Advisors Group.
I think it’s a great idea to set away a bit of cash to help you through tough times if you need it. My wife and I are trying to purchase our first home next year and need to find a good mortgage. We aren’t sure how this whole process works so we are going to look for a professional that can help us understand.