Senior Home Equity Exceeds Record $10.6 Trillion

WASHINGTON (April 26, 2022) – Homeowners 62 and older saw their housing wealth grow by 3.98 percent or $405 billion in the fourth quarter to a record $10.6 trillion from Q3 2021, according to the latest quarterly release of the NRMLA/RiskSpan Reverse Mortgage Market Index.

The NRMLA/RiskSpan Reverse Mortgage Market Index (RMMI) rose in Q4 2021 to 370.56, another all-time high since the index was first published in 2000. The increase in older homeowners’ wealth was mainly driven by an estimated 3.7 percent or $452 billion increase in home values, offset by a 2.3 percent or $47 billion increase in senior-held mortgage debt.

NRMLA President Steve Irwin said: “In just a few days, we’ll celebrate Older Americans Month. The theme will be Age My Way. To help ameliorate the risks and concerns surrounding the ability of homeowners to age their way, it is critical that housing wealth is carefully and responsibly considered when developing a comprehensive retirement plan. For many, housing wealth is indeed their greatest asset, and tapping that equity under the right circumstances will enable a secure path to aging security.

Quarter Over Quarter Changes in Senior Home Values Chart

About Reverse Mortgages
Reverse mortgages are available to homeowners who are 62 and older with significant home equity. They are a versatile financial tool that seniors can use to borrow against the equity in their home without having to make monthly principal or interest payments as with a traditional “forward” mortgage or a home equity loan. Under a reverse mortgage, funds are advanced to the borrower, and interest accrues, but the outstanding balance is not due until the last borrower leaves the home, sells, or passes away.

More than 1.21 million households have utilized an FHA-insured reverse mortgage to help meet their financial needs. For more information, please visit www.ReverseMortgage.org.

About the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association
The National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) is the national voice for the industry. It represents the lenders, loan servicers, and housing counseling agencies responsible for more than 90 percent of reverse mortgage transactions in the United States. All NRMLA member companies commit themselves to a Code of Ethics & Professional Responsibility. Learn more at www.nrmlaonline.org

About RiskSpan, Inc.
RiskSpan offers end-to-end solutions for data management, risk management analytics, and visualization on a highly secure, fast, and fully scalable platform that has earned the trust of the industry’s largest firms. Combining the strength of subject matter experts, quantitative analysts, and technologists, the RiskSpan platform integrates a range of data sets–including structured and unstructured–and off-the-shelf analytical tools to provide powerful insights and competitive advantage. Learn more at www.riskspan.com.

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