"Bond market bust." 

"Global bond rout deepens." 

"10-year Treasury yields rise to a 24-year high at 5.304."

If you've had the news on this week at all, you've heard some version of this. And if you're retired or close to it, it probably made your stomach drop a little.

So today I'm doing three things. First, I'll explain in plain English why this is happening. Second, what it means for reverse mortgages. And third, why some of my past clients are probably actually smiling about these headlines — believe it or not.

Here's the part most people never hear: on an FHA-insured reverse mortgage, the portion of your line of credit you don't use grows at one-half percent MORE than the rate you're charged. At today's rates, that means the rule of 72 kicks in — your available line roughly doubles in about ten years. When rates go up, that line grows even faster. It is not interest income, and I'll explain exactly why that distinction matters. It's increased borrowing power.

I also cover what high rates mean if you're just starting to look, why a proprietary reverse mortgage can sometimes get you more when the FHA numbers fall short, and the old saying that sums up my whole philosophy: when's the best time to plant a tree? Twenty years ago. When's the second best time? Right now.

No obligation, no pressure. My job is simply to help you understand how this program works so you can make an informed decision.