Category: Press Release

Canadian seniors consistently report that they prefer to live at home and age in place. Yet, they also report that financial challenges are the biggest hurdle to doing so.

HomEquity Bank outlines planned changes for older Canadians. Canadian seniors worried about finances may be wondering what changes they can expect now that a majority Liberal government has been elected.

Mortgage debt among seniors is increasing right across Canada, and for those aged 70+ it has increased 12% compared to 2013. That’s according to the results of a Debt in Retirement study conducted by HomEquity Bank and Equifax Canada.

HomEquity Bank announced record $41MM in reverse mortgage origination in the month of July. July YTD originations of reverse mortgages by HomEquity Bank grew by 21% YOY.

TORONTO — From doctors and dentists to bankers and lawyers, all professionals interacting with seniors can play an important role in helping to report suspected incidents of elder abuse.

With the holiday season fast approaching aging Canadians embrace the concept of ‘giving with warm hands’. Almost 5% of clients aged 55 and over arrange reverse mortgages as a way to gift money to their adult children.

There’s a lack of information around reverse mortgages, and as more seniors look to this type of financing to help their adult children as well as finance their retirement – it’s time to set the record straight on some misconceptions.

With the number of grey divorces on the rise in Canada, many Boomers may not realize the cost of maintaining two homes can increase expenses by as much as $20-$30,000 per year. This can have a serious impact on finances during retirement. In fact, according to Statistics Canada 2011 census data, divorce among Baby Boomers is becoming more common and the numbers are expected to steadily increase. Approximately 60,000 Canadian couples divorced in 2013 and 25% of these divorces were ‘grey’, occurring among couples aged 55 and older.

When it comes to retirement, many Canadians look to downsizing to a smaller home or condo to supplement income for their latter years.

What many fail to realize, however, is the average cost of downsizing is approximately $40,000. That’s according to mortgage agent John Cavan, a 26-year industry expert with Mortgage Architects. The cost is an industry average based on the sale of a $400,000 home and includes real estate, legal and moving fees as well as land transfer taxes.

Although retirement is meant to be a time to enjoy friends and family it’s finances that typically derail what can be a special time – especially for women seniors.

That’s because this segment of Canada’s population was raised in a time when most men were expected to control the finances, explains Trevor Van Nest, Owner and Founder of York Region Money Coaches.