Reverse Mortgages in California: 2025 Lending Data
Lenders reported 7,315 reverse mortgages originated in California in 2025 in the federal HMDA data, the highest count of any state. For 57% of them the main applicant was over 74. These are lenders' own reports of loans they made, not offers, and FreeRateUpdate is not a lender.
Last updated October 22, 2026What lenders reported for California
| 2025, originated loans flagged as reverse mortgages | California |
|---|---|
| Reverse mortgages | 7,315 |
| Rank among the 50 states and DC | 1st |
| Share of the national total of 31,826 | 23% |
| Share of all home loans originated in California | 1.3% |
| Lenders that reported at least one | 47 |
The borrowers' ages
HMDA records the main applicant's age in ranges.
| Main applicant's age | Share | Loans |
|---|---|---|
| Over 74 | 57% | 4,153 |
| 65 to 74 | 35% | 2,541 |
| 55 to 64 | 8% | 613 |
| Other or not reported | under 1% | 8 |
The 55 to 64 range includes borrowers aged 62 to 64. For 8 loans the age was outside those groups or not reported.
How a reverse mortgage works
A reverse mortgage lets a homeowner 62 or older borrow against home equity without monthly mortgage payments. You keep paying property taxes, homeowners insurance, any HOA dues and upkeep, interest and fees are added to the balance so it grows, and the loan comes due when the last borrower dies, sells the home or moves out for good, or sooner if those obligations fall behind. An eligible non-borrowing spouse may be able to stay after the borrower dies or spends more than 12 months in a row in a care facility. For a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), the most common kind, HUD-approved counseling is required before a lender can process your HECM application. See how a reverse mortgage works and the requirements.
About these numbers
They come from the public Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for 2025: loans lenders reported as originated and flagged as reverse mortgages, counted by the property's state. They show what lenders reported, not what FreeRateUpdate sees, and they say nothing about what any borrower received or what a lender would offer you. FreeRateUpdate doesn't make reverse mortgages.
| Reverse mortgages reported | 7,315 |
|---|---|
| Rank among states | 1st of 51 (50 states and DC) |
| Main applicant over 74 | 57% |
| Main applicant 65 to 74 | 35% |
| Lenders reporting | 47 |
Related questions
Sources
- https://ffiec.cfpb.gov/data-browser/
- https://ffiec.cfpb.gov/documentation/publications/loan-level-datasets/lar-data-fields
- https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/can-anyone-take-out-a-reverse-mortgage-loan-en-227/
- https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-reverse-mortgage-en-224/
- https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/when-do-i-have-to-pay-back-a-reverse-mortgage-loan-en-236/
- https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/single-family-hecmhome
Sourced from licensed loan officers and brokers in the FreeRateUpdate network.
Educational information only, not individualized financial or legal advice. Program details and rates change; verify current terms with a licensed loan officer before making a decision.