Time to read : 6 Minutes
We’re now more than two years into this cost-of-living crisis, and I’m repeatedly being asked two questions.
The first is from the asset-rich 55+ age group who are struggling to make ends meet. The question is: what is a reverse mortgage and should we use one to ‘cash out’ some of our equity?
The second question I’m asked is: will a reverse mortgage reduce what I’ll get in the will? And, that question comes from adult kids in the hope of a decent inheritance.
The answer comes down to the initial money withdrawn and the cost… however what happens to property prices after that, plays a big part.
Can a reverse mortgage protect your inheritance?
To back up for a sec, let’s look at what a reverse mortgage is…
A reverse mortgage is a loan against a home that requires no repayments until that home is sold or is no longer required.
Your parent’s age at the outset will determine how much equity can be released via such a loan. The older they are, the more funds they can withdraw.
Tip: if your parents are taking out a reverse mortgage: by withdrawing as little as possible, as late as possible, it can preserve as much as possible of the property’s value… and that means protecting your inheritance.
That’s true under any conditions. But how the economy is shaping up will also matter.
How do economic conditions impact your inheritance?
Low interest rates
The first ‘economic’ unknown with a reverse mortgage is the interest rate – usually a reverse mortgage will have a variable rate so if official rates go higher, so too will the debt that rolls up against the property.
Note: because there are no periodic repayments required, the interest rate is always higher than a ‘regular’ variable rate mortgage.
Naturally, the debt will grow over time based on that rate. But, rest assured, the debt can’t overtake the value of the property and leave you with a bequeathed debt.
The government introduced a thing called a no-negative-equity guarantee more than a decade ago now, to stop reverse mortgage debt forging above a property’s value.
Families will want rates to stay as low as possible to keep as much equity as possible… or see if a fixed rate is available to contain the impact.
Of course, the other perfect economic condition for heirs’ wealth is…
Booming property prices
It helps hugely to preserve an inheritance if the value of the property is growing faster than the reverse mortgage debt.
Check out this example that assumes your parents wait a while – until age 70 – and then take out the typical maximum at that age on a $700,000 home: $210,000 (or 30%).
Here’s what happens to the house and debt values, if property price growth is 3% and the interest rate 8% (a fairly standard rate for today).
$210,000 taken from a $700,000 home, at age 70
What happens if property prices only grow 3%* a year...
So, you can see the initial 30%, $210,000 cash withdrawal ends up consuming 64% and $694,454 of the property’s value, by the time your parents are 85. Don’t miss that, for you, there is still $396,124 left at that stage.
But look at how the numbers – and your inheritance – change at that same 8% reverse mortgage interest rate if house prices instead enjoy great growth: 10% a year.
The $694,454 debt only represents 24% of the property’s value (from 30% at first) – and there is now $2,229,620 of equity left for you and your fellow heirs.
$210,000 taken from a $700,000 home, at age 70
What changes if property prices grow 10%* a year...
Naturally, the wealth wildcard that is the property market is where the no-negative-equity guarantee gets doubly powerful. Even if property prices plummet, a deceased estate will not end up owing money (and the property owner cannot be evicted ahead of that stage).
The best-case scenario for you, though? Rampaging real estate.
Should your parents Spend Kids Inheritance (SKI)… or scrimp to save you?
Many retirees fully intend to SKI – as in, spend the kids’ inheritance. And, having worked hard their whole lives, can you really begrudge them?
But some retirees will happily and helpfully prioritise leaving money to their younger generations.
What if aged care is needed?
It’s important to bear in mind that the other whole-of-family consideration with a reverse mortgage is the potential need to fund aged care for your parents down the track.
One of the pitfalls of a reverse mortgage is that it can erode – as you’ve seen above – the equity that’s left in a property to secure an aged care spot.
Aged care is a complex area but, basically, your parent/parents will need a lump sum to buy an aged care position. The average is $500,000. Alternatively cashflow will be needed to rent there.
As with any type of shopping, there are top-end, top-priced options.
There can, however, be government assistance available for people with lower assets and income.
Bottom line:
When it comes to a reverse mortgage, a multiplicity of factors can make the difference – to parents and children.
If you’re concerned about how a reverse mortgage may impact your family’s inheritance, start by having an open and honest discussion with family members… and your parents. You never know what this could mean down the track financially for your future.
Go deeper:
* Source: moneysmart.gov.au
Financial Disclaimer
The information contained on this web page is of general nature only and has been prepared without taking into consideration your objectives, needs and financial situation. You should check with a financial professional before making any decisions. Any opinions expressed within an article are those of the author and do not specifically reflect the views of Compare Club Australia Pty Ltd.
