If you're 62 or older - and looking for money to finance a home improvement, pay off your current mortgage, supplement your retirement income, or pay for healthcare expenses - you may be considering a reverse mortgage. It's a product that allows you to convert part of the equity in your home into cash without having to sell your home or pay additional monthly bills.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, wants you to understand how reverse mortgages work, the types of reverse mortgages available, and how to get the best deal.

In a "regular" mortgage, you make monthly payments to the lender. In a "reverse" mortgage, you receive money from the lender, and generally don't have to pay it back for as long as you live in your home. The loan is repaid when you die, sell your home, or when your home is no longer your primary residence. The proceeds of a reverse mortgage generally are tax-free, and many reverse mortgages have no income restrictions

There are three types of reverse mortgages:

• Single-purpose reverse mortgages, offered by some state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations
• Federally-insured reverse mortgages, known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) and backed by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Proprietary reverse mortgages, private loans that are backed by the companies that develop them

Single-purpose reverse mortgages

Single-purpose reverse mortgages are the least expensive option. They are not available everywhere and can be used for only one purpose, which is specified by the government or nonprofit lender. For example, the lender might say the loan may be used only to pay for home repairs, improvements, or property taxes. Most homeowners with low or moderate income can qualify for these loans.

HECM

HECMs and proprietary reverse mortgages are more expensive than traditional home loans, and the up-front costs can be high. That?s important to consider, especially if you plan to stay in your home for just a short time or borrow a small amount. HECM loans are widely available, have no income or medical requirements, and can be used for any purpose.

Reverse mortgage loan advances are not taxable, and generally don't affect your Social Security or Medicare benefits. You retain the title to your home, and you don't have to make monthly repayments. The loan must be repaid when the last surviving borrower dies, sells the home, or no longer lives in the home as a principal residence.

In the HECM program, a borrower can live in a nursing home or other medical facility for up to 12 consecutive months before the loan must be repaid.

If you're considering a reverse mortgage, be aware that:

• Lenders generally charge an origination fee, a mortgage insurance premium (for federally-insured HECMs), and other closing costs for a reverse mortgage. Lenders also may charge servicing fees during the term of the mortgage.
• The amount you owe on a reverse mortgage grows over time. Interest is charged on the outstanding balance and added to the amount you owe each month.
• Although some reverse mortgages have fixed rates, most have variable rates that are tied to a financial index: they are likely to change with market conditions.
• Reverse mortgages can use up all or some of the equity in your home, and leave fewer assets for you and your heirs.
• Because you retain title to your home, you are responsible for property taxes, insurance, utilities, fuel, maintenance, and other expenses.
• Interest on reverse mortgages is not deductible on income tax returns until the loan is paid off in part or whole.

If you're considering a reverse mortgage, shop around. Compare your options and the terms various lenders offer. Learn as much as you can about reverse mortgages before you talk to a counselor or lender. That can help inform the questions you ask that could lead to a better deal.

• If you want to make a home repair or improvement ? or you need help paying your property taxes - find out if you qualify for any low-cost single-purpose loans in your area. Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) generally know about these programs.
• All HECM lenders must follow HUD rules. And while the mortgage insurance premium is the same from lender to lender, most loan costs, including the origination fee, interest rate, closing costs, and servicing fees vary among lenders.
• If you live in a higher-valued home, you may be able to borrow more with a proprietary reverse mortgage, but the more you borrow, the higher your costs. The best way to see key differences between a HECM and a proprietary loan is to do a side-by-side comparison of costs and benefits.
• No matter what type of reverse mortgage you're considering, understand all the conditions that could make the loan due and payable.

Some sellers may offer you goods or services, like home improvement services, and then suggest that a reverse mortgage would be an easy way to pay for them. If you decide you need what's being offered, shop around before deciding on any particular seller. Keep in mind that the total cost of the product or service is the price the seller quotes plus the costs - and fees - tied to getting the reverse mortgage.

Some who offer reverse mortgages may pressure you to buy other financial products, like an annuity or long term care insurance. Resist that pressure. You don't have to buy any products or services to get a reverse mortgage (except to maintain the adequate homeowners or hazard insurance). In fact, in some situations, it?s illegal to require you to buy other products to get a reverse mortgage.

The bottom line: If you don't understand the cost or features of a reverse mortgage or any other product offered to you - or if there is pressure or urgency to complete the deal - walk away and take your business elsewhere. Consider seeking the advice of a family member, friend, or someone else you trust.

With most reverse mortgages, you have at least three business days after closing to cancel the deal for any reason, without penalty.

To cancel, you must notify the lender in writing. Send your letter by certified mail, and ask for a return receipt. That will allow you to document what the lender received and when. Keep copies of your correspondence and any enclosures. After you cancel, the lender has 20 days to return any money you've paid up to then for the financing.

If you suspect that someone involved in the transaction may be violating the law, let the counselor, lender, or loan servicer know. Then, file a complaint with:

• the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can do that online at ftc.gov or by phone at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
• your state Attorney General's office or state banking regulatory agency.

Whether a reverse mortgage is right for you is a big question. Consider all your options. You may qualify for less costly alternatives. The following organizations have more information: