Reverse Mortgage News & Insights from HECMWorld

HECMWorld
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Get the latest news, commentary and insights for the US reverse mortgage and property finance industries.  Founded by Shannon Hicks and now hosted by Gabrielle Hayen, HECM World Weekly is the nation’s longest-running weekly podcast, trusted by reverse mortgage professionals for news, insights and trends on the reverse and wider mortgage industry, property equity, wealth and retirement and much more. Brought to you by Lenderful Solutions. Each week we also bring you Industry Leader Insights, where top industry influencers share what's happening at the cutting edge of the mortgage industry, and Food For Thought, our segment focused on professional and personal development for mortgage professionals.  This podcast is brought to you by HECM World, the leading independent media platform for the reverse mortgage industry in the United States.  Find out more and join our community of 6000+ industry leaders at https://hecmworld.com For business inquiries, contact info@hecmworld.com  HECM World is owned and operated by Reverse Focus, a technology and marketing company that has supporting the reverse mortgage industry with full service digital marketing solutions since 2006. Find out more at https://reversefocus.com 

  1. 11h ago

    Industry Leader Insights: Steve Irwin on Reverse Mortgage Policy Reform and Global Innovation

    What needs to change to unlock the future of the reverse mortgage industry? In Part 2 of HECM World's Industry Leader Insights, NRMLA President Steve Irwin talks about the reforms, innovations and industry collaboration needed to move reverse mortgages forward. Following Part 1's discussion on record senior housing wealth, historically low HECM endorsements and the state of the industry, Irwin turns his attention to what comes next. From FHA mortgage insurance reform and HECM servicing changes to international product innovation, emerging technology and the future of NRMLA itself, Irwin makes the case for an industry willing to adapt and evolve. In this episode: Why risk-based mortgage insurance pricing and HECM assignment reform remain priorities NRMLA's future relationship with HUD, FHA, Ginnie Mae and the administration What the U.S. can learn from reverse mortgage innovation in Europe, Australia, Asia and beyond How technology, collaboration and changing consumer needs will shape the next generation of reverse mortgage originators The future of NRMLA’s own mission and the products it may support What's ahead at NRMLA's Annual Meeting in San Antonio, November 10–12 "We can't just demand that the marketplace evolve, but as a membership association, we need to continually evolve as well." — Steve Irwin Read the full article on HECM World: https://hecmworld.com/2026/10/19/industry-leader-insights-steve-irwin-reverse-mortgage-innovation/ Missed Part 1? Catch up here: https://hecmworld.com/2026/10/12/industry-leader-insights-steve-irwin-hecm-outlook/ Subscribe for more interviews, industry insights and the latest reverse mortgage news. Visit https://hecmworld.com

  2. 3d ago

    HECM World Weekly, Ep 953: Social Security Boost Amid Rising Inflation, High Rates And Care Costs

    Social Security benefits are set to rise 3.6% in 2027, the largest increase since 2023. But with consumer inflation accelerating to 3.7% and producer prices jumping 6.3% annually, how far will that extra retirement income go? In this week's HECM World Weekly, we cover the latest economic and housing news, including mortgage rates holding near three-year highs and what those rates mean for HECM borrowers. We also examine new research revealing the financial burden of caregiving, with millions of Americans spending thousands of dollars supporting older family members, often at the expense of their own retirement savings. Plus: A federal appeals court backs Ginnie Mae in a significant reverse mortgage financing dispute. New EPPARG/EY research forecasts global equity-release activity could nearly triple by 2035, reaching more than US$58 billion annually. Why record senior housing wealth and growing interest in proprietary products contrast with HECM endorsements at their lowest annual level since 2003. The latest mortgage application and home sales figures, and how elevated rates continue to affect housing activity and HECM borrowing capacity. Read the full Weekly, including sources and links to the stories covered: https://hecmworld.com/2026/10/16/hecm-world-weekly-social-security-boost-rising-inflation-high-rates-care-costs/ HECM World Weekly delivers the latest reverse mortgage news, housing-market developments and retirement-finance insights for industry professionals. Visit and subscribe at https://hecmworld.com for more news, interviews and analysis.

  3. 4d ago

    Rethinking Retirement Finance Ep. 2: Dr. Wade Pfau on HECM Lines of Credit and Market Downturns

    Can a reverse mortgage help protect retirement investments during a market downturn? In Episode 2 of Rethinking Retirement Finance, retirement income researcher Dr. Wade Pfau joins host Shain Urwin from C2 Financial to explain how a HECM line of credit can serve as a financial buffer, helping retirees manage sequence-of-returns risk and avoid withdrawing from investment portfolios when markets are falling. Building on Episode 1's discussion of why housing wealth belongs in retirement planning, this conversation explores the practical strategies behind Pfau's research. Topics include: How a HECM line of credit works as a buffer asset during market downturns. How reverse mortgages compare with cash reserves and life insurance in retirement planning. Why some financial advisors remain reluctant to recommend reverse mortgages, even when they understand their potential benefits. The challenge of overcoming longstanding consumer misconceptions. What Pfau's historical research, including the 1966–1995 period behind the 4% withdrawal rule, reveals about retirement income strategies. Why Pfau believes reverse mortgages remain significantly underutilized. Pfau explains why greater education and a broader understanding of retirement planning could help more homeowners make informed decisions about their housing wealth. Read the article: https://hecmworld.com/2026/10/15/rethinking-retirement-finance-wade-pfau-hecm-line-of-credit-market-downturns/ Dr. Wade Pfau's books: Retirement Planning Guidebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1945640197 Reverse Mortgages: How to Use Reverse Mortgages to Secure Your Retirement: https://www.amazon.com/Reverse-Mortgages-Secure-Retirement-Researcher/dp/194564012X/ Rethinking Retirement Finance is a new weekly HECM World show brought to you by C2 Financial exploring the research and strategies shaping retirement planning, and what they mean for reverse mortgage professionals and their clients. New episodes every Thursday on HECM World.

  4. 5d ago

    Food For Thought: HECM Rates - Lisa Moriello On Margin, Timing And Borrower Strategy

    In this Food For Thought, Lisa Moriello, CRMP, National Sales Manager at loanDepot, breaks down how reverse mortgage professionals can think more strategically about HECM structure in a changing rate environment. Lisa focuses on three key “dials” originators can work with: margin, timing and how borrowers access their proceeds. She also explains why the expected rate matters more than the Fed headline, why timing can materially affect proceeds, and how different HECM structures can better align with a borrower’s priorities. Rather than trying to predict where rates are headed, Lisa’s message is simple: understand the trade-offs, run the scenarios and structure the loan around what matters most to the borrower. Read the full article on HECM World: https://hecmworld.com/2026/10/14/food-for-thought-hecm-rates-borrower-strategy/ Subscribe to HECM World for more reverse mortgage news, insights and industry conversations.

  5. Oct 12

    Industry Leader Insights: NRMLA's Steve Irwin on the State of the Industry

    Senior housing wealth has reached a record $15.34 trillion, yet annual HECM endorsements have fallen to their lowest level since 2003. NRMLA President Steve Irwin explains why he believes the reverse mortgage industry remains strong. In Part 1 of this Industry Leader Insights interview, Irwin joins HECM World to talk about the state of the reverse mortgage market, the challenges facing federally insured HECMs and the opportunities ahead. Topics include: Why Irwin remains optimistic despite historically low HECM production and how proprietary reverse mortgages are filling gaps in the market. NRMLA's push to reform FHA's upfront mortgage insurance premium (MIP) structure. The industry's relationship with HUD, FHA and Ginnie Mae, including the impact of federal staffing cuts and opportunities for regulatory reform. Why NRMLA supports Matt Jones for FHA commissioner. The reverse mortgage industry's reputation challenge, how the product has evolved and why misconceptions persist among consumers and mortgage professionals. The growing role of traditional mortgage lenders in bringing reverse mortgages into the mainstream. With record senior housing wealth and an aging population, the industry faces significant opportunities, but also questions about how to translate that potential into stronger HECM production. Read the full article: https://hecmworld.com/2026/10/12/industry-leader-insights-steve-irwin-hecm-outlook/ Watch Part 1 now, and stay tuned for Part 2, where Steve Irwin looks ahead to the future of the reverse mortgage industry and what needs to change to support long-term growth. Subscribe to HECM World — News, insights and analysis for the reverse mortgage industry. https://hecmworld.com

  6. Oct 9

    HECM World Weekly, Ep 952: Senior Home Equity Tops $15 Trillion As Boomer Housing Handoff Begins

    Senior home equity has surpassed $15 trillion for the first time, reaching a record $15.34 trillion, according to new NRMLA/RiskSpan data. This week on HECM World Weekly, Andrew Montesi steps in for Gabrielle Hayen to cover the latest developments shaping the reverse mortgage industry, housing market and retirement landscape. In this episode: Record senior home equity: Homeowners aged 62 and older now hold $15.34 trillion in housing wealth, following a $398 billion quarterly increase. The Boomer housing handoff: New Realtor.com research projects 13.9 million homes will transition out of older-owner occupancy over the next decade. Aging in place: Northwestern Mutual finds 83% of Boomers and older Americans prefer to receive long-term care at home, despite significant financial challenges. Longer retirements: New TIAA research highlights growing concerns about longevity, healthcare costs and retirement savings. Rethinking Retirement Finance: Dr. Wade Pfau explores why housing wealth should be considered alongside other retirement assets. Older Americans' wealth: Bank of America reports households aged 55 and older hold nearly $140 trillion in total net worth. Mortgage rates climb: Freddie Mac reports the 30-year fixed rate at 7.40%, while the MBA reports declining mortgage applications. As senior housing wealth reaches new heights, what do these demographic and financial shifts mean for the future of reverse mortgages? Read the full Weekly report and find more details here: https://hecmworld.com/2026/10/09/hecm-world-weekly-senior-home-equity-tops-15-trillion-boomer-housing-handoff/ Subscribe to HECM World — News, insights and analysis for the reverse mortgage industry. https://hecmworld.com

  7. Oct 8

    Rethinking Retirement Finance, Ep 1: Dr. Wade Pfau on Reverse Mortgages in Retirement

    Should a reverse mortgage really be treated as a financial last resort? In the first episode of HECM World’s new Rethinking Retirement Finance show, host Shain Urwin from C2 Financial sits down with retirement income researcher Dr. Wade Pfau to challenge that conventional thinking. Pfau explains why housing wealth should be considered alongside investments and other retirement assets, how a HECM line of credit can fit into a broader retirement strategy, and why waiting until a client “needs” a reverse mortgage may mean overlooking its strategic value. The conversation also explores why misconceptions remain common among financial advisors — and how reverse mortgage professionals can better educate advisors about how the product actually works. Read the full article and key takeaways: https://hecmworld.com/2026/10/08/rethinking-retirement-finance-reverse-mortgages/ Rethinking Retirement Finance is a new weekly HECM World show exploring the research and strategies shaping retirement planning — and what they mean for reverse mortgage professionals and their clients. New episodes every Thursday. About Dr. Wade Pfau Dr. Wade D. Pfau, PhD, CFA, RICP® is the founder of Retirement Researcher, co-founder of the Retirement Income Style Awareness tool and co-host of the Retire with Style podcast. He is principal and director of retirement research at McLean Asset Management, a Research Fellow with the LIMRA Retirement Income Institute and a professor of practice at The American College of Financial Services.  He is the author of four books, including: He is the author of four books, including: Retirement Planning Guidebook https://www.amazon.com/dp/1945640197/ Reverse Mortgages: How to use Reverse Mortgages to Secure Your Retirement https://www.amazon.com/Reverse-Mortgages-Secure-Retirement-Researcher/dp/194564012X/

  8. Oct 7

    Food For Thought: Why October Is A Key Month For Reverse Mortgage Conversations

    October brings a unique convergence of retirement decisions: Social Security adjustments, Medicare open enrollment, insurance renewals, property taxes and rising seasonal expenses. For many older homeowners, it’s the time of year when one question becomes increasingly important: “Am I going to be okay next year?” In this edition of Food for Thought, Lisa Moriello, CRMP, National Retail Reverse Sales Manager at loanDepot, explains why reverse mortgage professionals should be paying particular attention to October. Lisa shares three practical ways originators can add value right now — reconnecting with clients before they call, building relationships with Medicare agents, and helping bring home equity into the broader retirement-income conversation. As Lisa puts it: “You’re not the loan officer calling to sell. You’re the professional who knew what month it was.” Watch the full episode for Lisa’s practical approach to making October count. Read the full article: https://hecmworld.com/2026/10/07/food-for-thought-october-retirement-planning-reverse-mortgage/ Check out hecmworld.com and subscribe so you don’t miss a thing

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About

Get the latest news, commentary and insights for the US reverse mortgage and property finance industries.  Founded by Shannon Hicks and now hosted by Gabrielle Hayen, HECM World Weekly is the nation’s longest-running weekly podcast, trusted by reverse mortgage professionals for news, insights and trends on the reverse and wider mortgage industry, property equity, wealth and retirement and much more. Brought to you by Lenderful Solutions. Each week we also bring you Industry Leader Insights, where top industry influencers share what's happening at the cutting edge of the mortgage industry, and Food For Thought, our segment focused on professional and personal development for mortgage professionals.  This podcast is brought to you by HECM World, the leading independent media platform for the reverse mortgage industry in the United States.  Find out more and join our community of 6000+ industry leaders at https://hecmworld.com For business inquiries, contact info@hecmworld.com  HECM World is owned and operated by Reverse Focus, a technology and marketing company that has supporting the reverse mortgage industry with full service digital marketing solutions since 2006. Find out more at https://reversefocus.com 

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