Retire Right: Rising home insurance costs…Is your retirement plan ready? ...Saudi Arabia

GreeleyTribune - Sport
Retire Right: Rising home insurance costs…Is your retirement plan ready?

Related Articles

Ask Angi: What home projects should I focus on in 2026? Design Recipes: Colors of the Year On Gardening: It’s ColorBlaze Lime Time! Connecting with careers in horticulture The Culmination of Craft

I recently came across some data that stopped me in my tracks.

Homeowners insurance premiums are up about 28% after inflation, with the biggest increases happening in areas facing wildfire (like Colorado and California) and hurricane risk (like Florida).

    Now here’s the interesting part…

    Many of those same states are some of the most popular retirement markets in the country. Florida. Arizona. Colorado. The Carolinas. Parts of California. Warm weather. Beautiful views. Golf courses everywhere. And now? Higher insurance bills.

    For retirees living on fixed incomes, that kind of increase isn’t just annoying, it can change the math of retirement.

    The hidden retirement expense

    When people plan for retirement, they usually think about:

    Social Security income Investment and savings accounts Healthcare expenses Maybe travel expenses

    But rising property taxes and homeowners’ insurance are not typically planned and often sneak up on us quietly. Unlike your mortgage payment (which might be gone in retirement), insurance and taxes never retire. And when premiums jump nearly 30%, that can put pressure on monthly cash flow, especially for homeowners who planned carefully but didn’t expect such sharp increases.

    The “house rich, cash flow tight” problem

    In my book Retirement Mortgage Playbook , I talk about how many retirees are sitting on substantial home equity but struggling with monthly cash flow. Their home might be worth $600,000… $800,000… even more. But equity doesn’t pay the insurance bill. You can’t tear off a corner of your roof to cover your premium increase. That’s where strategy matters.

    Could home equity be part of the solution?

    A reverse mortgage (what I often call a retirement mortgage) allows homeowners age 55+ to convert part of their home equity into usable funds without required monthly mortgage payments of principal and interest.

    You still own the home.You stay on title.You must continue paying taxes, insurance, and maintaining the property.

    But instead of your home just sitting there as an illiquid “paper asset,” it can provide:

    A line of credit that grows over time Monthly income to supplement retirement Funds to eliminate an existing mortgage payment A buffer for rising expenses like property taxes and insurance

    One of my favorite features is the growing line of credit option. Think of it like putting a spigot on the side of your house. You only turn it on when you need it. When insurance premiums jump unexpectedly, or property taxes go up significantly, that flexibility can make a big difference.

    Why this matters in high-risk states…like Colorado

    Areas facing wildfire or hurricane risk are seeing some of the largest insurance increases.

    And many retirees moved to those states for lifestyle reasons:

    Lower income taxes Warm weather Active adult communities

    But affordability isn’t just about home price. It’s about the total cost of staying in the home long-term. If insurance continues to climb, some retirees may need to rethink their retirement plan:

    Should I downsize? Should I reposition equity differently? Should I create a backup plan now before I need it?

    Planning ahead is almost always easier than reacting under pressure.

    A word to real estate agents

    For agents working with retirees, this trend is important. Insurance costs could:

    Push some homeowners to sell sooner than planned Influence affordability calculations Create opportunities for reverse mortgage purchase strategies Change how clients evaluate aging in place

    This isn’t about “selling a house.”  It’s about understanding all available tools so you can better serve your clients when rising costs affect their retirement plans. Knowledge creates confidence, for you and for them.

    It’s not about panic. It’s about preparation

    Let me be very clear: A reverse mortgage is not right for everyone.

    It requires a financial assessment and HUD-approved counseling. There are costs and responsibilities to understand. But rising insurance premiums are a reminder of something important: Retirement planning isn’t static. Expenses change. Markets change. Life changes. Your strategy may need to change too.

    Home equity is one of the largest and often most underutilized assets in retirement. Using home equity strategically can help improve cash flow, reduce stress, and provide flexibility when costs rise unexpectedly.

    Let’s run the numbers together

    If you’re 55+ and own your home, or if you’re a real estate professional serving retirees, let’s have a conversation. We’ll look at:

    Your insurance increases Your overall retirement budget Your home equity position And whether a reverse strategy makes sense

    No pressure. Just education. Because retirement should feel secure, even when insurance premiums rise. It is time to live for today and plan for tomorrow.

    Gabe Bodner is a retirement mortgage planner and licensed mortgage originator in multiple states. Gabe utilizes the latest research from the top researchers to assist his clients in living for today and planning for tomorrow. To reach Gabe, call 720.600.4870, e-mail [email protected] or visit reversemortgagesco.com.

    Stay up to date with area Real Estate and Home & Garden news information with the latest e-edition version of atHome Colorado online

    This article is brought to you by atHome Colorado, your weekly insight into real estate, design, and community trends, published weekly by the advertising and marketing department in the Boulder Daily Camera, Loveland Reporter-Herald, Greeley Tribune, and Longmont Times-Call

    Hence then, the article about retire right rising home insurance costs is your retirement plan ready was published today ( ) and is available on GreeleyTribune ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.

    Read More Details
    Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Retire Right: Rising home insurance costs…Is your retirement plan ready? )

    Apple Storegoogle play

    Last updated :

    Also on site :



    Latest News