“We never expected to live this long”

Most of us get very judgy when it comes to money. I don’t know why.

Yesterday I had a closing with a very old, very dear couple, both of whom were groundbreaking professionals in their respective fields.

Both have pensions, both have Social Security—and both had significant savings.

But she is now 93 and he is 96, and their savings are long gone. Their guaranteed income is just not enough to meet their care needs.

At the closing table the husband said to me, “We don’t want our friends to know we’re doing a reverse mortgage—but we need money. We never expected to live this long.”

Yup, I hear you. When you were born, dear one, your life expectancy was more than three decades shorter.

A reverse mortgage is home equity mortgage. But it’s a mortgage that has no required monthly payment. Because it’s a loan, it must be repaid—but it’s repaid on the back end, in reverse, when the homeowners no longer reside in the home. Any remaining equity belongs to the heirs.

One last thing: a reverse mortgage won’t be a fit for everyone. But if an aging loved one in your life is struggling financially, give me a call. Together let’s see whether a reverse mortgage might be part of the solution.

Blessings to you and yours in this season.