Home equity conversion plans as a source of retirement income.

This article describes in detail a variety of home equity conversion plans and discusses their relevance for social security beneficiaries, as well as for the aged in general. Under these plans, a dormant asset--accumulated home equity--is converted into current retirement income. The plans vary: Some are debt instruments; others involve the sale and leaseback of the residence. Some provide income for a fixed term; others offer a lifetime annuity. Some include a public subsidy; others are free of governmental involvement. The advantages and disadvantages of these plans, as well as examples of how they operate and their respective income potential, are discussed in this article. The relevance of home equity conversion plans for social security beneficiaries is illustrated by means of data from the Retirement History Study. These data allow comparison of various demographic groups in terms of their dependence on social security benefits. Each group is examined in terms of available home equity and home equity potential under several conversion plans.