|RAND Corporation, September 2010, Free|
Finding that Americans are more likely to downsize than Britons, due to greater mobility, the authors analyze the causes of greater mobility in the U.S.
|Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin, October 2009, Free|
The authors discovered that among homeowners over the age of 79, only 1 in 300 moved because their property taxes grew at an above-median rate, and even most of these taxpayers were not actually being forced out of their homes because they could not afford their increased property taxes.
|Boston College Center for Retirement Research, August 2009, Free|
The authors research anf number, causes, and effects of moving, distinguishing between those who move because of affirmative plans to do so, and those who move because of economic or other shocks.
A guide for seniors and their adult children to assist those who are trying to decide whether it is time to move and how to work through the process.
|RetirementWorks, Inc., 2009, Free|
Outlines the main options you have (staying put, moving somewhere easier to get around in, moving in with someone else, assisted living, or a nursing home), the pros and cons of each, and where you can find additional resources.
|Consumer's Union, December 7, 2010, Free|
The authors examine the ways in which the marketing of reverse mortgages has served older consumers badly, and what should be done about it.
|U.S. General Accounting Office, June 29, 2009, Free|
This study by the U.S. government watchdog agency finds that marketing materials related to reverse mortgages sometimes contain inaccurate or incomplete information, or use questionable sales tactics.
Redfoot notes that the mortgage loan crisis is generating an impetus for more consumer protections, but there is also an increase in the cost and complexity of reverse mortgages.
|U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, June 29, 2009, Free|
Congressional hearings on issues related to reverse mortgages.
|MetLife Mature Market Institute, June 2009, Free|
This report examines what people can do and what they choose to do with home equity in order to increase income security, enhance financial resilience, and improve debt management.
|Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, April 2011, Free|
The authors find that home equity, while a large portion of many households’ “savings,” may not be a good asset for retirement purposes because of the high costs of extracting equity for personal use (especially by way of reverse mortgages).
|Urban iInstitute / Retirement Policy Program, September 2008, Free|
The authors find significant potential in reverse mortages, but not necessarily for those most in need, since there are relatively low homeownership rates
for low-income, single, and the oldest seniors.