09/05/2026
Have You Thought About How Your Home Fits Into Your Retirement Plan?
When I talk with seniors and their families, one thing comes up again and again:
“I want to stay in my home as long as I can.”
I completely understand that. For many people, home is more than four walls and a roof. It’s where you’ve raised your family, made memories, built friendships and created a life.
But if staying in your home is part of your plan, it’s worth thinking about more than just whether you want to stay there.
Will your home continue to work for you as you get older? And how will you pay for the things you may need along the way?
Maybe someday the bathroom needs to be modified. Maybe stairs become more difficult. Maybe you need a new roof, a safer entrance or other changes that make the home easier to live in.
And then there’s the possibility of needing help at home.
Care can be expensive, and many people don’t realize how quickly those costs can add up.
This is where your home equity may become part of the conversation.
For many older homeowners, their home is one of their largest assets. Yet they may have substantial equity sitting in their home while trying to manage retirement income, investments and other expenses.
There are several ways homeowners may be able to access that equity, including a home equity line of credit, cash-out refinancing or, for those who qualify, a reverse mortgage.
That doesn’t mean any of these options are right for you.
In fact, sometimes the best advice is to do nothing.
But I do believe it’s important to know what your options are before you actually need them.
That’s especially true when it comes to reverse mortgages. There are still a lot of misconceptions about them, and the programs available today aren’t necessarily what people remember from years ago.
The right financial decision is a very personal one. It depends on your home, your finances, your health and care needs, your family situation and, most importantly, what you want your next chapter to look like.
That’s why I encourage people to have these conversations early.
You don’t have to make a decision. You don’t have to apply for anything. You don’t even have to know exactly what you want to do.
Start by getting informed.
Ask questions. Learn what your home equity could potentially do for you. Talk with the people you trust—your financial advisor, your family, your Realtor, your care professionals and someone who understands the mortgage options available to you.
I’ve spent many years working with seniors and families, and one of the things I’ve learned is that having information before you need it can make a world of difference.
Your home may be where you want to spend your next chapter.
It’s worth making sure you have a plan for how you’ll be able to stay there.
