
A Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) is a type of loan that allows homeowners to borrow money using the equity in their home as collateral.
HECMs are insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and can provide a steady stream of income in retirement. This can be a game-changer for retirees who need to supplement their retirement funds.
With a HECM, homeowners can choose to receive a lump sum, monthly payments, or a line of credit. This flexibility can help retirees manage their finances and make the most of their retirement savings.
HECMs typically have a non-recourse feature, meaning that the borrower's heirs will not be responsible for paying back the loan if the home is sold for less than the outstanding balance.
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Retirement Funding Solutions
Retirement Funding Solutions is an industry leading HECM for Purchase and Reverse Mortgage lender.
They are committed to providing education and world-class service to its customers and partners. Retirement Funding Solutions is a reputable choice for those seeking reverse mortgage solutions.
To ensure you're working with a trustworthy lender like Retirement Funding Solutions, be cautious of unsolicited advertisements and don't sign anything you don't fully understand.
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What Can You Do?

A reverse mortgage can be a game-changer for retirees, allowing you to access the equity you've built up in your home without making monthly mortgage payments.
You can use a reverse mortgage as a line of credit, drawing on it as needed to cover unexpected expenses. The money you don't touch will actually grow in balance while it sits there.
If you still have a traditional mortgage on your home, a reverse mortgage will pay it off, giving you more freedom and peace of mind.
HECMs Offer Income Options
A HECM reverse mortgage provides the widest variety of income-generating options, including lump-sum payouts, credit lines, monthly cash advances, or a combination of these. This flexibility is a major advantage, allowing borrowers to choose the best option for their individual needs.
One of the most interesting features of an HECM loan is the credit line, which allows the amount of money available to the borrower to increase over time by the amount of interest. This means that the more you don't touch, the more it grows.
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As you consider your income options, remember that HECMs offer more flexibility than non-HECM loans, which typically offer fewer income options. This is a key consideration when deciding whether an HECM is right for you.
With a HECM, you can receive your funds in a lump sum, monthly payments, a line of credit, or a combination of these options. This allows you to choose the best approach for your financial situation and goals.
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Protecting Myself from Scams
Protecting Myself from Scams is crucial when exploring Retirement Funding Solutions. The reverse mortgage process is relatively complex, making it ripe for scammers.
Be cautious of unsolicited advertisements, as they can be a red flag for scams. The Federal Bureau of Investigation recommends ignoring them.
Don't sign anything you don't fully understand. Scammers often use confusing language to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals.
Seek out your own reverse mortgage counselor directly. This will help you avoid scammers who may try to push their own services on you.
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Options
With an HECM loan, you have several income-generating options to choose from.
You can opt for a lump-sum payout, which provides a one-time payment that can be used however you see fit.
An HECM loan also offers a credit line, which is a revolving line of credit that allows you to borrow and repay funds as needed. The amount of money available to you increases over time by the amount of interest.
You can also choose to receive monthly cash advances, providing a steady stream of income to help cover living expenses.
Or, you can combine these options to create a customized income plan that meets your specific needs.
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Types of Loans
Reverse mortgages have been around since the 1960s, but the most common type is a federally insured home equity conversion mortgage (HECM). HECMs are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and were first offered in 1989.
The primary drawback to HECMs is that the maximum loan amount is limited. This means that there's a cap on how much money you can borrow.
HECMs are the only reverse mortgages issued by the federal government, which limits the costs to borrowers and guarantees that lenders will meet their obligations.
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What Is a Loan?

A loan is essentially a financial tool that allows you to borrow money from a lender.
You can use the funds from a loan in various ways, such as paying off debts, financing a big purchase, or covering unexpected expenses.
Loans can be secured or unsecured, meaning they may require collateral or not.
A reverse mortgage loan, for example, is a type of loan that allows homeowners aged 62 and older to tap into their home's equity.
It's a flexible financial tool that gives you freedom and flexibility in how you use the funds.
Non-HECM Loans
Non-HECM Loans offer loans in amounts that are higher than the HECM limit. This can be beneficial for individuals who need more funds, but it's essential to consider the drawbacks.
Non-HECM loans are not federally insured, which means they come with more risk. Without federal insurance, borrowers may be more vulnerable to changes in the market.
These loans can be significantly more expensive than HECM loans, which can lead to higher interest rates and fees. This added cost can be a significant burden for some borrowers.
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Types of Loans

The most common reverse mortgage is a federally insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), which has been around since the 1960s but was first offered in 1989 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
HECMs are the only reverse mortgages issued by the federal government, limiting costs to borrowers and guaranteeing that lenders will meet their obligations.
The primary drawback to HECMs is that the maximum loan amount is limited, and the maximum claim amount for an HECM insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) in 2022 is not specified.
HECM reverse mortgages provide the widest variety of income-generating options, including lump-sum payouts, credit lines, monthly cash advances, or a combination of these.
The credit line is perhaps the most interesting feature of an HECM loan, because the amount of money available to the borrower increases over time by the amount of interest.
HECMs offer a yearly adjustable rate that changes by the same rate as any increase or decrease in the one-year U.S. Treasury security rate, and this annual adjustable rate is capped at 2% per year or 5% over the life of the loan.
If you already have a reverse mortgage from another lender, you may want to refinance to take advantage of lower interest rates or to switch from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate.
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Financial Tools
Financial Tools can be a game-changer for retirement planning. RFS provides several free calculators on its website to help you estimate and project your retirement funds.
One of the tools is the Reverse Mortgage Calculator, which gives you an estimated cash benefit that includes the payoff of any existing mortgage based on your zip code, home value, mortgage balance, and age.
RFS also offers a HECM For Purchase Calculator to help you understand how much you can borrow to purchase a new home.
The Portfolio Without Mortgage Payment calculator helps you see how much you can save on mortgage payments and allocate that money towards other retirement goals.
You can use the Retirement Projections With and Without HECM Monthly Draws calculator to estimate your retirement funds with and without monthly draws from your HECM loan.
RFS also provides a Social Security Benefits Calculator to help you estimate your monthly benefits based on your age and other factors.
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Here are the financial tools offered by RFS:
- Reverse Mortgage Calculator
- HECM For Purchase Calculator
- Portfolio Without Mortgage Payment
- Retirement Projections With and Without HECM Monthly Draws
- Social Security Benefits Retirement Estimators
- Social Security Benefits Calculator
- Detailed Social Security Calculator
These calculators can help you make informed decisions about your retirement funding and ensure you're on track to meet your goals.
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Rates and Costs
The rates and costs of a reverse mortgage can be a bit complex, but understanding them can help you make an informed decision. The interest rate on an HECM is tied to the one-year U.S. Treasury security rate.
Borrowers have the option to select an interest rate that can change every year or every month, but be aware that a yearly adjustable rate can increase by up to 2% per year or 5% over the life of the loan.
When comparing loans from different vendors, use the total annual loan cost (TALC) to get a sense of the total cost of the loan. This number includes third-party closing costs, mortgage insurance, and the servicing fee.
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HECM Total Annual Loan Cost
The total annual loan cost of a HECM can vary significantly from lender to lender. This is because the origination cost of a HECM loan is limited to 2% of the value of the home, but third-party closing costs, mortgage insurance, and the servicing fee can add up quickly.
The federal Truth in Lending Act requires mortgage providers to present borrowers with a cost disclosure in the form of the total annual loan cost (TALC). This number is crucial when comparing loans from different vendors.
To get the most accurate picture of costs, borrowers should carefully review the TALC and consider the income options selected, as this will greatly impact the actual costs of a reverse mortgage.
HECM Interest Rates
HECM interest rates are tied to the one-year U.S. Treasury security rate. This means that the interest rate on your HECM will change when the Treasury rate changes.
Borrowers have the option to select an interest rate that can change every year or every month. This gives you flexibility in how often you want to see changes in your interest rate.
A yearly adjustable rate changes by the same rate as any increase or decrease in the one-year U.S. Treasury security rate. This is a good option if you're comfortable with annual rate changes.
The yearly adjustable rate is capped at 2% per year or 5% over the life of the loan. This means that even if the Treasury rate skyrockets, your rate won't go up by more than 2% each year or 5% total.
A monthly adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) begins with a lower interest rate than the ARM and adjusts each month. This option might be a good choice if you're looking for a lower initial rate.
A monthly ARM can move up or down 10% over the life of the loan. This is a significant range, so be sure to consider how rate changes might affect your loan.
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Working with a Bank
Banks offer a variety of retirement funding solutions, including traditional and Roth IRAs, which allow you to save for retirement with tax benefits.
You can open a bank account specifically for your retirement savings, helping you keep your funds separate from your everyday spending money.
Banks often have low or no fees for retirement accounts, making it a cost-effective option.
Some banks offer retirement account management tools, such as online dashboards and mobile apps, to help you track your progress and make adjustments as needed.
Banks typically require a minimum deposit to open a retirement account, which can range from $100 to $1,000 or more, depending on the bank and account type.
You can also take advantage of bank-issued credit cards and loans for retirement-related expenses, such as home renovations or medical bills.
The Bottom Line
Retirement Funding Solutions takes a holistic approach to determine if a HECM is a good fit for you. They want to educate you to make the best decision possible.
Their financial calculators allow you to explore how a reverse mortgage would fit with your current financial portfolio, including social security benefits and the difference between a one-time payout versus monthly payout.
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With Retirement Funding Solutions being backed by Mutual of Omaha Bank, consumers can feel confident in their reverse mortgage.
Before taking out a reverse mortgage, you should research the topic thoroughly, compare costs from a variety of lenders, and read all disclosure documents.
Here are some key things to consider:
- Debt increases over time due to interest on the loan.
- Proceeds from the sale of the property are used to pay off the reverse mortgage.
- There may be little or no money remaining after the loan is repaid.
Investing the proceeds from a reverse mortgage is generally not advisable due to the need to recoup the costs of the loan plus interest.
Sources
- https://rfsqualify.com/products/
- https://bestcompany.com/reverse-mortgages/company/retirement-funding-solutions
- https://www.hecmworld.com/2015/06/03/retirement-funding-solutions-shelley-giordano-longevity-view-llc/
- https://sres.realtor/about/sres-business-partners
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/04/120204.asp
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