Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Could a Reverse Mortgage Save Your Retirement?



As baby boomers retire at the rate of 10,000 per day, many of them are woefully underfunded for their future retirement needs.

While reverse mortgages have gotten a bad rap over the last decade, the product has changed and become more regulated. Reverse mortgages are now gaining a lot of attention as a viable option for retirement income.

Most people tend to underestimate their life expectancy, save less than they should and fail to consider how much health care might cost in retirement, says David W. Johnson, associate professor of finance at the John E. Simon School of Business at Maryville University in St. Louis.

"Although we are living longer, we are also experiencing more health issues with our increased life expectancy," Johnson says. "The typical 65-year old couple will need $305,000 to cover out-of-pocket health care costs over their lifetime. Most people have not planned for these type of expenses. Increased life expectancy and unexpected expenses increase the possibility of outliving your assets."

As baby boomers move into retirement without sufficient income sources, many Americans are going to be unable to meet their basic financial needs in retirement, says Jamie Hopkins, associate professor at The American College of Financial Services in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and co-director at the New York Life Center for Retirement Income.
"This retirement income shortfall is nothing less than a crisis facing the United States," Hopkins says.
Reverse mortgages are another tool in the retirement toolbox that could offer seniors cash flow needed to cover living costs. Admittedly, Americans have a strong negative bias toward reverse mortgages, Hopkins says.




Investors in their 50s should make critical portfolio preparations.


"Much of that negative bias is rooted in misconceptions and issues with bygone reverse mortgage issues. The reverse mortgages of today are not the same as reverse mortgages 10 year ago. As such, reverse mortgages deserve a second look today," Hopkins says.
"Reverse mortgage loans are one of the most misunderstood financial products in existence," Johnson says.

One of the most common misconceptions is that the bank will own your home if you take out a reverse mortgage, says Reza Jahangiri, chief executive officer at the American Advisors Group in Orange, California.

"In actuality, with a reverse mortgage loan, borrowers retain ownership of their home, as long as they stay current on their property taxes, homeowner's insurance and otherwise comply with the loan terms," Jahangiri says.

"I believe in the product enough that I recommended a reverse mortgage for my own parents. I have seen firsthand how a reverse mortgage made a difference in the quality of their lives during retirement," Johnson says.

The market has become simplified in recent years. The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage is used for nearly all reverse mortgages, Hopkins says. It is essentially a government loan sold by private companies.

"The HECM is extremely well regulated. However, that does not mean there are not differences between companies," Hopkins says. "You should still shop around for the best rate, lender, service, and fees."


For most seniors, the majority of their wealth is stored in their home, which is not a very liquid asset. A reverse mortgage is a way for homeowners to unlock some of the equity in their home without having to make monthly mortgage payments.

Who is eligible? To be eligible for a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, you must be a homeowner 62 or older, own your home outright or have a low mortgage balance that can be paid off at closing with proceeds from the reverse loan. You need to have sufficient financial resources to pay for property taxes and insurance, and you must live in the home.

"The loan becomes due and payable when the last remaining homeowner leaves the home permanently," Jahangiri says.

A reverse mortgage is a non-recourse loan, as the home is the only collateral that can be used to repay the loan balance.

"This means that if the sale of the home does not cover the entire loan balance, then FHA pays the difference, not the borrower's family," Jahangiri says.




Each stage of retirement makes new demands on your portfolio so you don't run out of money.


How much could a borrower expect to receive? "Depending on their age, homeowners typically can tap between 50 percent and 75 percent of the home's appraised value, with a maximum loan limit of $625,500. The older the borrower and the lower the interest rate, the higher the available loan amount," says Tom Dickson, national leader financial advisor channel at Reverse Mortgage Funding in Bloomfield, New Jersey.

Another option that's growing in popularity is one where a borrower takes out a reverse mortgage standby line of credit, Jahangiri says. "This is a great option for borrowers who aren't interested in tapping their equity unless an emergency arises or when they feel the funds are needed," he says.
Tapping into your home equity through a reverse mortgage HECM line of credit can be an effective way to avoid selling your investments when they drop in value, Hopkins says.

"Let's say the market drops 30 percent next year. Would you rather sell your stocks that are down 30 percent to get your retirement income or would you rather borrow from your home equity at 3 to 4 percent interest? The answer is clear," Hopkins says. "You would be much better off using your home equity in a down market year. Doing this could substantially increase the sustainability of your retirement portfolio and help make your money last for a lifetime," Hopkins says. 
Repay loan to keep the house. If leaving your home to your heirs is important to you, a reverse mortgage may not be the best option.

"As home equity is used, fewer assets may be available to leave to your heirs," Dickson says. "It should be noted that you can still leave the home to your heirs, but they will have to repay the loan balance." Just like any other financial product, it is important to educate yourself before you sign on the dotted line and it can pay to shop around.
There are about 10 reverse mortgage companies that do almost all the business in the industry, Hopkins says.


"Just like with a traditional mortgage you need to shop around," he says. "LendingTree.com can allow you to do that. Check out at least three reverse mortgage companies before moving forward with one."


Visit Robin Loomis on Facebook @  http://www.facebook.com/reversemortgageaz or visit us online at our website www.NovaReverse.com

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Sonora Behavioral Health

We are pleased to announce our newest advertiser in the 
SPOTLIGHT Senior Services & Living Options Resource Guide





Sonora Behavioral Health  is located on the north western end of Tucson, Arizona close to the Catalina Mountains and next to the major north/South I-10 Freeway. 
Sonora Behavioral Health is licensed for 72 beds and with the addition of the new 76 bed unit coming online in November we will ultimately offer 144 inpatient psychiatric beds.
Sonora Behavioral Health’s mission is to provide superior behavioral healthcare to the individuals and communities we serve. Children (5-11), adolescents (12-17), adults and military personnel in crisis situations can benefit from our broad scope of programs. Our services include inpatient hospitalization for crisis stabilization, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs for continued learning and skill development for living with mental illness and/or addiction.
Sonora believes that mind and body are inseparable and that our responsibility is to treat the whole person in the knowledge that pathology in one affects the level of functioning in the other.  We believe that the human being is a delicate balance of emotional, intellectual, physical, cultural, and spiritual dimensions.  Psychiatric disorders result in disturbances in cognitive, behavioral and affective processes.  These disturbances impair the patient’s ability to perform basic life functions and severely disrupt family, social, and work relationships, which can be ameliorated by prompt psychiatric care.

Sonora Behavioral Health Hospital is committed to the provision of quality behavioral health services to our community.  This commitment is demonstrated through the facility’s mission and supported through effective strategic and budget planning efforts.  Resources are utilized to meet individual patient, family and staff goals in the most effective and efficient manner possible.  Best practices firmly rooted in evidence and most current information available about human behavior have been incorporated into the plan of care for each program.

Sonora provides a total therapeutic environment through an individualized treatment program for each patient.  Modalities emphasized are group, family, educational, and activity therapies, with a focus on the patient as a unique individual.  Care is provided according to an established code of ethical conduct and strict adherence to patient rights.  Involvement of the family, whenever possible, is encouraged to promote support for the patient’s recovery.

Patient care is evidence-based and centered upon a holistic philosophy meeting the full continuum of care.  Resources are organized around each patient through the development of an individualized, comprehensive treatment plan.  The patient’s strengths provide the cornerstone of the treatment plan and are mobilized from admission, throughout hospitalization and into discharge.  Responsibility for the well-being of the patient is transferred to the patient’s hands as soon as possible.

Visit us online @ www.sonorabehavioral.com




Thursday, November 10, 2016

IN THE SPOTLIGHT ~ The Echelon of Tucson

We are pleased to announce our newest advertiser in the 
SPOTLIGHT Senior Services & Living Options Resource Guide


Aging Gracefully Philosophy  

The quality of life our residents enjoy is at the core of our mission. Research
shows that activity, both physical and mental, can improve the overall quality of life.
Our goal is to create a whole person wellness attitude and change how we think
and act in relation to our residents. “Aging Gracefully” is not a “program,” but rather the embodiment of an attitude about the quality of life we provide our residents. It is the
platform upon which family members and staff alike participate to present those
attributes that will allow the residents to rediscover the joy available in life.

All Day Dining Program    

What time is dinner? . . . “whenever you choose.”
The All Day Dining Program is a unique concept designed to provide our residents
 the freedom of choice.   Options like breakfast for dinner or lunch at 2:00 pm rather
than noon.  Whether an early riser or late sleeper, All Day Dining offers the flexibility
 to choose what works best for you.
All Day Dining offers an alternate menu of choices that may include the main
entrée of the day, breakfast items, soups, salads, sandwiches, etc.

Graceful Stays – Short Term Stays – Perfect for Snowbirds!

 “Graceful Stays” gives you the option to try us before making the commitment
to move in.  “Graceful Stays” is also perfect for folks interested in spending a few
 months in Tucson in an effort to escape the bitter winter cold.  All you have to bring
is your clothes!
 Participate in our enriching activities program, enjoy our delicious
cuisine and get to know your neighbors.  Call for pricing and more information
regarding your upcoming “Graceful Stay.”

Visit us online @ http://www.echelonoftucson.com/