Among the challenges faced by seniors considering a HECM reverse mortgage is deciding which HECM best meets their needs. There are both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate versions, adjustable rate HECMs can adjust annually with a maximum rate increase of 5%, or monthly with a 10% maximum, and within all of these categories, there are multiple combinations of interest rate and origination fees.

The specific HECM that works best depends on the senior’s financial needs and preferences. The list below covers 5 different financial needs, and shows the manner of drawing funds under the HECM that corresponds to each need. I will discuss the HECM selection process in each case.

Reserve For Contingencies: Seniors who want a reserve for contingencies will be offered credit lines on adjustable rate HECMs only – there are no fixed-rate lines. They may select the adjustable that provides the largest initial credit line, or the one that provides the largest line at some future time, depending on their expectations regarding when they will begin drawing on the line.

The senior who focuses on the largest initial line could find it on either an annual or a monthly adjustable. If they focus on the largest line at some future time, they will select the annual adjustable, unless they are convinced that rates will rise by more than 5% above existing levels, in which case they might select the monthly adjustable.

Note that seniors selecting among alternative credit lines can ignore the interest rate and origination fee, which are important to them only because they affect credit lines. This is also the case for the other financial needs discussed below. 

Permanent Increase in Monthly Payment: Some seniors want more income “permanently,” meaning for as long as they occupy their homes. The logical choice would be the adjustable-rate HECM that provides the largest such payment. However, seniors concerned with how much home equity they will leave to their estate might select the HECM that minimizes future debt.  

Cash Draw: Some seniors need cash for any of the plethora of reasons why people need cash. Home purchase is excluded, however, because it is considered as a separate category below. 

Seniors can obtain cash at closing with either a fixed-rate or an adjustable-rate HECM. While the amounts available are very similar, the cash draw at closing ends the process for the fixed-rate option. No additional funds can ever be drawn. With the adjustable, in contrast, a second cash draw is available after 12 months roughly equal to about 2/3 of the draw at closing. A senior looking for the maximum cash over 12 months will take the adjustable offering the largest total. A senior with more modest needs with a concern about the size of her estate might prefer the fixed-rate version that results in the greatest equity after some period.  

Combination Monthly Payment and Credit Line: Some seniors want both a monthly payment and a credit line. They will specify their desired payment, which could be for their entire tenure in the house or for a shorter period, and use the remainder of their borrowing power to draw a credit line. They will select the adjustable-rate HECM that provides either the largest initial line or the largest line after some period – the same decision process as when they select a credit line only.  

Purchase a House: Most seniors who purchase a house with a HECM want to minimize the asset liquidation needed for the purchase, so they want the HECM that will provide the largest amount of cash up front. This could be a fixed-rate or an adjustable rate, but with interest rates moving up, it is more likely to be an adjustable.  

The Kosher Reverse Mortgage Calculator shows all the options discussed above, enabling seniors to make the best possible selection - see Kosher HECM Cakculator. For example, the calculator shows the senior looking for a reserve for contingencies the largest initial credit line available, and also the largest future line after some period of non-use, which period the senior can specify. Defining all relevant options is one feature that makes the calculator kosher. A second kosher feature is that the calculator covers multiple lenders, which allows the senior to find more advantageous terms. In each of the financial needs considered above, one or two lenders offer better deals than the others.

Concluding Comment: This article views the HECM reverse mortgage as a stand-alone product. It will become obsolete when HECMs become integrated into retirement plans that include annuities and financial asset management. See Integrating the Components of a Retirement Plan.