25 Ways to use a HECM

Didier Malagies • June 19, 2024
  1. Payoff your forward mortgage to eliminate your monthly mortgage payment
  2. Remodel your home
  3. Maintain a line of credit for health emergencies and surprises
  4. Help cover monthly expenses and hold on to the other assets while their value continues to grow
  5. Help cover monthly expenses and avoid selling assets at depressed values,
  6. Help pay for health insurance during the early retirement years until Medicare eligibility at 65
  7. Help pay your Medicare Part B and Part D costs
  8. Combine life tenure payments with social security and income generated by assets to replace your salary and continue a monthly routine of paying bills from new income.
  9. Pay for your children's or grandchildren's college or professional education.
  10. Maintain a "standby" cash reserves to get you through the ups and downs of investment markets and provide more flexibility.
  11. Combine proceeds with the sale of your current home to buy a new home without monthly mortgage payments.
  12. Help pay for long-term health care needs.
  13. Fill the gap in a retirement plan caused by lower than expected returns on your assets.
  14. Help pay for a retirement plan, estate plan or a will.
  15. Help pay for short-term-in-home care or physical therapy following an accident or medical episode.
  16. Convert a room or basement to a living facility for an aging parent, relative or caregiver.
  17. Set up transportation arrangements for when you are no longer comfortable driving.
  18. Create a set aside to pay real estate taxes and property insurance.
  19. Delay collecting social security benefit until it maxes out at age 70.
  20. Eliminate credit card debt and avoid building new credit debt.
  21. Help cover expenses between jobs without utilizing other saved assets.
  22. Help cover expenses and avoid capital gains tax consequences of selling off other assets.
  23. Purchase health-related technology that  enables you to live at home alone.
  24. Pay of an Uber or Lyft account so you have the mobility and access to appointments and social activities.
  25. Help your adult children through the family emergencies.




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