A reverse mortgage does not affect “non-means-tested” government benefits programs such as Social Security. However, a reverse mortgage can affect “means-tested” programs including Medicaid because those programs test to see how much financial resources a homeowner has available.
Generally a home equity loan, a second mortgage, or a home equity line of credit have strict requirements for income and creditworthiness. Also, with other traditional loans the homeowner must still make monthly payments to repay the loans. A reverse mortgage has no income or credit requirements and instead of making monthly payments, the homeowner receives payments.
The advantages for seniors, their families, and the government of a robust reverse mortgage program are clear. Congress has expressed great interest in the program, particularly its potential to help seniors afford long-term care, thereby helping to reduce the millions of dollars in eventual federal expenditures for seniors’ health care needs.
Reverse mortgages have been around since 1961. The first person to receive a reverse mortgage was Nellie Young through the Deering Savings and Loan Bank of Maine. At that time, the reverse mortgage was issued through the bank itself and any bank could choose whether or not they would do a reverse mortgage. Not a lot of people took advantage of reverse mortgages because there was nothing to guarantee that a bank wouldn’t take advantage of them.
How is interest calculated on a reverse mortgage?
Interest on a reverse mortgage is calculated based on the money paid out to you. In general, reverse mortgages have variable rates, though fixed rate reverse mortgages are becoming more popular. Variable rate reverse mortgages are based on certain indexes. Interest is not covered by the proceeds you get from a reverse mortgage – it builds up over the course of the entire loan until it’s repaid.
