Darryl Hicks, 202-557-3556, dhicks@nrmla.com
National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association
For Immediate Release:
WASHINGTON (January 23, 2026) – Housing wealth among homeowners aged 62 and older reached a new all-time high in the third quarter of 2025, climbing 1.9 percent to a record $14.66 trillion, according to the latest release of the NRMLA/RiskSpan Reverse Mortgage Market Index (RMMI). The milestone surpasses the previous record of $14.39 trillion set just one quarter earlier in Q2 2025, underscoring the continued growth of senior-held home equity.
Reflecting these gains, the RMMI rose to 511.99 in Q3 2025 — the highest level since the index’s inception — up from 502.47 in the prior quarter. Since 2000, the RMMI has tracked reverse mortgage market opportunity by analyzing long-term trends in senior home values and home equity accumulation.
The quarter-over-quarter increase in senior housing wealth was driven primarily by an estimated two percent rise in home values, adding approximately $295.4 billion in equity. This growth was partially offset by a modest one percent increase in senior-held mortgage debt, totaling $22.8 billion.
“The latest release of the RMMI underscores the extraordinary level of housing wealth held by older Americans,” said NRMLA President Steve Irwin. “At a time when inflation pressures and the fear of outliving one’s retirement savings remain top concerns for retirees, home equity stands out as a powerful — yet often underutilized — financial resource. When incorporated responsibly into a broader retirement strategy, this wealth can help seniors offset rising costs, reduce income shortfalls, and gain greater peace of mind about their long-term financial security.”
About Reverse Mortgages
Reverse mortgages are available to homeowners who are 62 and older with significant home equity. They are a versatile financial tool that seniors can use to borrow against the equity in their home without having to make monthly principal or interest payments as with a traditional “forward” mortgage or a home equity loan. Under a reverse mortgage, funds are advanced to the borrower, and interest accrues, but the outstanding balance is not due until the last borrower leaves the home, sells, or passes away.
To date, more than 1.3 million households have utilized an FHA-insured reverse mortgage to help meet their financial needs. For more information, please visit www.ReverseMortgage.org
About the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association
The National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) is the national voice for the industry and represents the lenders, loan servicers, and housing counseling agencies responsible for more than 90 percent of reverse mortgage transactions in the United States. All NRMLA member companies commit themselves to a Code of Ethics & Professional Responsibility.
Bless this Address, Inc. offer Reverse Mortgages to seniors age 55+.