Most Older Investors Say Retiring at Age 65 Is No Longer Feasible
Most investors approaching their retirement years say that a traditional retirement won’t be possible for them. That’s according to a survey of 2,000 investors polled in January by Nationwide Mutual’s retirement research institute, which found that a majority of investors between 55 and 65 years old said they won’t be able to stop working at 65. Most also said they expect to face more challenges in retirement than past generations. Rethinking retirement Traditionally, 65 is the target age for retirement, but that’s becoming an increasingly ambitious goal for the average American. People are living a lot longer nowadays, and with the cost of living increasing, workers are struggling to save enough to comfortably live out their golden years. That’s becoming a major problem in a landscape where personal savings have all but replaced employer-run pensions, which provide guaranteed lifetime income. More than half of U.S. adults overall are concerned they won’t be able to achieve financial security in retirement, according to a report published this year by the National Institute on Retirement Security. Even pre-retiree investors with at least $10,000 in assets are worried. Nearly 70% of these investors between 55 and 65 said retiring at 65 isn’t realistic for them, according to the Nationwide Mutual survey. A similar share (67%) said they expect to face more challenges in retirement than previous generations. The pre-retiree investors weren’t very confident about their future Social Security benefits, either. More than a quarter said they expect to receive less Social Security income than previously expected. “Many of us watched our parents and grandparents enjoy a smooth transition to a secure retirement powered by traditional pension benefits,” Eric Henderson, president of Nationwide Annuity, said in a news release. “Today’s investors are having a tougher time picturing that for themselves as they grapple with inflation and concerns about running out of money in retirement.” Change of (retirement) plans As a result of the mounting obstacles to a secure retirement, more than 40% of the pre-retiree investors polled said they would keep working in retirement out of necessity. They also reported that their retirement plans have changed within the past year, with 22% saying they now expect to retire later than planned. That tracks with 2023 research from Pew Research Center, which found that that 19% of Americans 65 and older were participating in the workforce compared to 11% a few decades ago. A September study from investment management firm T. Rowe Price similarly found that 20% of retirees have returned to work either full- or part-time. That’s not all older adults are doing to pad their retirement income, though. More than a quarter of the pre-retiree investors polled by Nationwide said they plan to live frugally to bankroll their retirement goals, with 41% reporting that they’re avoiding nonessentials like vacations, jewelry and shopping sprees to save more. A Reverse Mortgage from Home for Life Reverse Mortgage, Inc. may be able to help you retire more comfortably. Contact us for more information.
The best times to get a reverse mortgage.
According to the latest Consumer Price Index report, inflation once again ticked upward in March. Persistent inflation makes it challenging for Americans to manage their expenses, and that’s especially true for seniors who are no longer in the workforce or are living on fixed incomes. On top of that, elevated interest rates, combined with limited retirement income, make it harder for seniors to qualify for home equity loans and other forms of financing to ease their burden. In this environment, many seniors are turning to alternatives, such as reverse mortgages, to borrow money. A reverse mortgage can help qualified homeowners convert some of their home’s equity into much-needed cash to pay off debt or live more financially secure in retirement. While reverse mortgages aren’t for everybody, they can be beneficial in certain situations. Let’s examine a few of the best times to consider getting a reverse mortgage. When you don’t have enough income to pay your bills Many seniors have significant equity in their homes after paying down their mortgage over time, especially if home values have increased. Unfortunately, many of these same seniors struggle to meet monthly expenses. A reverse mortgage is tailored precisely for situations like this, It eliminates the requirement of monthly mortgage payments, offering borrowers potential cash returns or a line of credit based on their equity. The best part is you do not have to make any monthly payments, and you will never owe the lender more than the value of your home. You pay off the reverse mortgage on the home when you sell or through your estate when you pass. When your home equity is greater than your loan balance A qualified homeowner can use proceeds from a reverse mortgage for several reasons, such as: You can even use a reverse mortgage to pay off your home loan. When a borrower closes on their reverse mortgage, the first thing that happens is any existing mortgages are paid off. The borrower can then access any remaining equity. The equity can be disbursed in a lump sum or regular monthly payments. The borrower may choose to establish a line of credit or choose a combination of any of these disbursement types based on their financial goals and needs. When you don’t have beneficiaries A reverse mortgage may be a better option for seniors to tap into home equity for their financial needs if they don’t have beneficiaries. In this case, they don’t have to consider beneficiaries’ interests or preserve the home’s value for an inheritance. A senior without beneficiaries will not have to worry about planning who will pay off the reverse mortgage after they pass as if you inherit a property with a reverse mortgage, it is your responsibility to pay it back. When a reverse mortgage may not be a good idea While these mortgages can benefit seniors in a variety of ways, it’s critical to understand the downsides of reverse mortgages before proceeding with one. Everyone’s financial situation is unique, after all, and a reverse mortgage may not be suitable for all situations. A reverse mortgage may not be ideal if you can’t keep up with ongoing homeownership costs. While you’re not usually required to make monthly payments on your reverse mortgage, you do have to properly maintain your home and pay property taxes, homeowners association dues and other property-related expenses. Failing to do so or living away from the home for 12 months or longer could cause the lender to foreclose on your property. The bottom line Taking out a mortgage is a serious decision, so it’s crucial to consider the benefits and downsides before getting a reverse mortgage. You might consider consulting your financial advisor or tax accountant to make sure a reverse mortgage aligns with your overall financial plan and goals. However, a reverse mortgage may be a good option in certain situations because it allows you to access your home’s equity as cash to reduce strain on your budget and achieve a more financially stable retirement. By Tim Maxwell