
Reverse mortgage rates are tied to interest rates and more.
Interest rates have a significant impact on reverse mortgage rates, with rates typically rising when interest rates are high and falling when interest rates are low.
The Federal Reserve's decisions on interest rates can also influence reverse mortgage rates, as changes in the federal funds rate can affect the overall cost of borrowing.
The type of loan you choose also plays a role, with fixed rate loans offering predictable payments and adjustable rate loans allowing for potential savings.
Broaden your view: What Happens to Mortgage Rates When Fed Cuts Rates
What Are Reverse Mortgage Rates?
Reverse mortgage rates are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or Libor. This is a standard rate that is bound to change based on market forces. The annual adjustable rate is the most popular product, and is currently at about 4%.
Your reverse mortgage interest rate may be competitive or marginally higher than other types of loans, depending on your personal lending scenario. Several factors influence a borrower's HECM rate, including age, property value and zip code, disbursement option, and fixed vs. adjustable rate.
Consider reading: Adjustable Rate Mortgage vs Fixed Rate

Reverse mortgage interest rates can be higher than conventional loan rates, but comparable to home equity loans or home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). They're also typically lower than unsecured loans such as credit cards and personal loans.
Here are some factors that can affect your reverse mortgage interest rate:
- Age (older borrowers may be able to access lower rates)
- Property value and zip code
- Disbursement option (line of credit, lump sum or monthly payment)
- Fixed vs. adjustable rate
The interest rate on a reverse mortgage affects the borrowing capacity within the loan. A lower interest rate means there will be less money owed once the balance becomes due on the loan.
Factors That Determine Rates
Reverse mortgage rates are tied to several key factors, which can impact how much money you can access from your home equity.
The interest rate on a reverse mortgage is set by the individual lender and is based on current interest rates.
Your age is another important factor, as it can affect the amount of equity you can access.
The current value of your property and the balance owed on any existing mortgage loans also play a role in determining the amount of equity you can tap into.
Additional reading: Pre Approved Home Loan Amount

Unlike conventional types of loans, your credit and/or income do not determine the interest rate charged.
A lower interest rate can mean more upfront cash from your home equity, and for the entire time you have the loan.
The interest rate affects the borrowing capacity within the loan for a reverse mortgage, so it's essential to understand how it works.
The interest rate charged on your reverse mortgage loan will increase or decrease depending on the direction taken by the index, which is a standard rate that is bound to change based on market forces.
The margin, which is the interest percentage added on top of the index by the lending institution, remains the same until the maturity of the loan.
Take a look at this: Mortgage Rates Are Tied to What Index
How Reverse Mortgage Rates Work
Reverse mortgage rates are tied to a borrower's age and current interest rates. The principal limit factor (PLF) determines the percentage of a home's appraised value or the FHA lending limit that a borrower is eligible to receive as a loan.
Suggestion: Co Borrower in Housing Loan

For example, a 62-year-old's principal limit factor is 31.2%, while an 80-year-old's is 44.6%. This means that a 62-year-old can receive a smaller percentage of their home's value as a loan compared to an 80-year-old.
A specific interest rate of 7% was used by HUD to determine these values, resulting in a loan limit of $1,149,825 for all borrowers.
How Do Impact?
Interest rates have a significant impact on reverse mortgages, determining a borrower's loan amount or principal limit. This is largely based on a borrower's age and the value of their home.
A 62-year-old's principal limit factor is 31.2%, while an 80-year-old's principal limit factor is 44.6%. This difference in factor directly affects the loan amount a borrower is eligible for.
The principal limit factor determines the percentage of a home's appraised value or the FHA lending limit that a borrower can receive as a loan. The loan limit is $1,149,825 for all borrowers.
An example interest rate of 7% was used to determine these values, which highlights the importance of interest rates in reverse mortgage calculations.
Take a look at this: What Percentage of Home Value for Reverse Mortgage
How Do Work?

A reverse mortgage is still a loan, and loans come with costs. This means you'll be paying interest on the money you receive, just like you would with a traditional mortgage.
The interest rates on reverse mortgages are calculated based on the loan amount and the borrower's age, among other factors. This is why it's essential to understand how interest rates work before applying for a reverse mortgage.
The interest on a reverse mortgage compounds over time, meaning it increases exponentially as the loan balance grows. This can lead to a significant increase in the loan balance, and ultimately, the amount you or your heirs will have to pay back.
You'll only have to pay back the loan when you pass away, sell the property, or move out permanently.
Recommended read: Does a Reverse Mortgage Pay off Your Existing Mortgage
Types of Reverse Mortgage Rates
Reverse mortgage rates are tied to market conditions, which can cause the interest rate to rise, making the loan balance grow more quickly.

There are different types of reverse mortgage interest rates, including adjustable rates, which can change monthly or annually. Adjustable rate reverse mortgages have variable interest rates that can go up or down.
If your client chooses to take a line of credit from their reverse mortgage, they'll have an adjustable rate loan, and interest will not be charged until they draw on the line of credit.
Market conditions can cause the interest rate to rise, making the loan balance grow more quickly. However, there are caps on the amount of interest a lender can charge.
Your client can make payments to pay down the line of credit, giving themselves flexibility to keep drawing funds out.
Here's an interesting read: Reverse Mortgage Equity Line of Credit
Understanding Reverse Mortgage Terms
The initial interest rate (IRR) is the rate during the first month of an adjustable-rate reverse loan, and it's the basis for future rate fluctuations.
Your client's expected interest rate (EIR) anticipates their variable rate loan's reverse mortgage rate in 10 years, using their IRR as a starting point.

The compounding rate combines the loan's interest rate with the ongoing cost of your client's mortgage insurance premiums to measure their balance's growth over time.
Here are the key terms to know:
- Initial Interest Rate (IRR): The rate during the first month of an adjustable-rate reverse loan.
- Expected Interest Rate (EIR): Anticipates the variable rate loan's reverse mortgage rate in 10 years.
- Compounding Rate: Combines the loan's interest rate with mortgage insurance premiums.
Key Terms
Understanding Reverse Mortgage Terms can be a complex and overwhelming process, but breaking it down into key terms can make it more manageable.
The Initial Interest Rate (IRR) is the rate your client starts with during the first month of an adjustable-rate reverse loan. This rate is the basis for future rate fluctuations.
The Expected Interest Rate (EIR) anticipates your client's variable rate loan's reverse mortgage rate in 10 years, using their IRR as a starting point. If they're getting a fixed rate, their EIR will be the same as their IRR.
Compounding rate combines the loan's interest rate with the ongoing cost of your client's mortgage insurance premiums to measure their balance's growth over time.
Here are the key terms to know:
- Initial Interest Rate (IRR)
- Expected Interest Rate (EIR)
- Compounding Rate
Other Terms

Understanding Reverse Mortgage Terms can be overwhelming, but breaking it down into smaller chunks makes it more manageable.
The Expected Interest Rate (EIR) is a crucial term to grasp. It's what a lender estimates will be the interest rate throughout the lifespan of a loan.
For variable interest loans, the EIR is calculated on a 10-year fixed index, which helps lenders determine the rate.
To calculate principle limits, service fees separately, and exact loan amounts to be disbursed monthly, lenders use the EIR.
Here are some key uses of the EIR:
- Calculating principle limits
- Calculating service fee separately
- Determining exact loan amounts to be disbursed monthly
The Initial Interest Rate (IIR) is another important term. It's the rate that lenders use to calculate the interest throughout the entire lifespan of a loan.
The IIR is also the interest rate that a borrower will be charged as the loan begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What index are reverse mortgages tied to?
Reverse mortgages are tied to the Constant Maturity Treasury (CMT) rate, a widely followed benchmark for interest rates. This index serves as the foundation for determining the interest rates on reverse mortgage loans.
Sources
- https://www.ownerly.com/loans/reverse-mortgage-interest-rates/
- https://longbridge-financial.com/blog/reverse-mortgages/reverse-mortgage-interest-rates-crunching-the-numbers/
- https://www.compmort.com/the-impact-of-interest-rates-on-reverse-mortgages/
- https://at.naifa.org/what-you-should-know-about-reverse-mortgage-interest-rates-0
- https://www.reverse-your-mortgage.com/reverse-mortgage-interest-rates-explained/
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