Some retirees are opting to keep their mortgages instead of using their retirement funds to cash out and have full ownership over their home. Why? Well for now, stock market returns and low interest mortgage rates might make it more financially advantageous for a retiree to keep their money in these investments. More often than not in the past, retirees with an active loan would use a piece of their retirement plan to pay off their premium so they no longer owe anything on their home.
However, with high capital returns from the stocks and bond market, coupled with the fact that mortgage rates are some of the lowest seen in history, investment returns from other markets have actually been greater for many even with their mortgage payments subtracted out.
Improved health care and life expectancy has also affected this trend. Where many retirees preferred a low risk investment in the past, a lot of people now potentially see decades of life ahead of them and are still willing to take some financial risks.
Interestingly, 64% of retirees said they would also probably move at least once after retirement. Assuming it’s not an all cash deal, many of these retirees would be applying for another mortgage post retirement. Not only that, 30% of them actually said they would be looking for a larger home, rather than downsizing.
As mortgage rates rise, this financial path’s viability will need to be re-evaluated. The stock market does hold more volatility and risk—so even in a positive market like this, there is no guarantee of reward. However, more retirees have gone through this process, evaluated their financial situation and chosen to incorporate more risk—showing a marked shift in how many people have been approaching their retirement of late.
Source: http://www.realtor.com/news/retirees-who-opt-to-keep-mortgage-payments/
Comments (1)Subscribe to CommentsComment