What Is a Reverse Mortgage?

A reverse mortgage is a loan that allows homeowners to turn part of their home equity into cash. Available to people 62 and older, a reverse mortgage can be set up and paid out as a lump sum, a monthly payment, or a line of credit, all of which can then be used to fund home renovations, consolidate debt, pay off medical expenses, or simply improve the homeowner’s lifestyle.

While older Americans, particularly retiring baby boomers, have increasingly drawn on this financial tool, reverse mortgages aren’t for everyone. Find out how they work, their advantages and disadvantages, and alternatives you might consider instead.

Key Points

•   Homeowners must be 62 or older and meet specific requirements to qualify for reverse mortgages.

•   Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are the most common kind of reverse mortgage, but there are also single-purpose reverse mortgages and proprietary reverse mortgages.

•   Costs that come along with reverse mortgages include mortgage insurance, origination fees, servicing fees, and interest.

•   If a borrower moves into long-term care or dies, the nonborrowing spouse can remain in the home if they meet certain conditions.

•   Pros of a reverse mortgage include no monthly payments and flexible disbursement; cons include higher interest rates and reduced home equity.

How Does a Reverse Mortgage Work?

Usually when people refer to a reverse mortgage, they mean a federally insured home equity conversion mortgage (HECM). That being said, there are two other types of reverse mortgages (more on those below).

Note: SoFi does not offer home equity conversion mortgages (HECM) at this time.

To qualify for an HECM, all owners of the home must be 62 or older and have paid off their home loan or have a considerable amount of equity. Borrowers must use the home as their primary residence or live in one of the units if the property is a two- to four-unit home. Certain condominium units and manufactured homes are also allowed. The borrower cannot have any delinquent federal debt. Plus, the following will be verified before approval:

•   Income, assets, monthly living expenses, and credit history

•   On-time payment of real estate taxes, plus hazard and flood insurance premiums, as applicable

The reverse mortgage amount you qualify for is determined based on the lesser of the appraised value or the HECM mortgage loan limit (the sales price for HECM to purchase), the age of the youngest borrower or the age of an eligible non-borrowing spouse, and current interest rates. Generally, the older you are and the more your home is worth, the higher your reverse mortgage amount could be, depending on other eligibility criteria.

The reverse mortgage loan and interest do not have to be repaid until the last surviving borrower dies, sells the house, or moves out permanently. In some cases, a non-borrowing spouse may be able to remain in the home.

Loan Costs

An HECM loan may include several charges and fees, such as:

•   Mortgage insurance premiums

◦   Upfront fee (2% of the home’s appraised value or the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) lending limit, whichever is less)

◦   Annual fee (0.5% of the outstanding loan balance)

•   Third-party charges (an appraisal fee, surveys, inspections, title search, title insurance, recording fees, and credit checks)

•   Origination fee (the greater of $2,500 or 2% of the first $200,000 of the home value, plus 1% of the amount over $200,000; the origination fee cap is $6,000)

•   Servicing fee (up to $30 per month if the loan interest rate is fixed or adjusted; if the interest rate can adjust monthly, up to $35 per month)

•   Interest

Your lender can let you know which of the above fees are mandatory. Many of the costs can be paid out of the loan proceeds, meaning you wouldn’t have to pay them out of pocket. However, financing the loan costs reduces how much money will be available for your needs.

The servicing fee noted above is a cost you could incur from the lender or agent who services the loan and verifies that real estate taxes and hazard insurance premiums are kept current, sends you account statements, and disburses loan proceeds to you.

What Is the Most Common Kind of Reverse Mortgage?

The most common type of reverse mortgage is the HECM, or home equity conversion mortgage, which can also be used later in life to help fund long-term care. HECM reverse mortgages are made by private lenders but are governed by rules set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The current loan limit is $1,209,750.

To qualify for this kind of reverse mortgage loan, you must meet with an HECM counselor, whom you can find through the HUD site. When you meet with the counselor, they may cover eligibility requirements, potential financial ramifications of the loan, and when the loan would need to be paid back, including circumstances under which the outstanding amount would become immediately due and payable. The counselor may also share alternatives.

The reverse mortgage loan generally needs to be paid back if the borrower moves to another home for a majority of the year or to a long-term care facility for more than 12 consecutive months, and if no other borrower is listed on the loan.

However, a new HUD policy offers protections to a non-borrowing spouse when a partner moves into long-term care. The non-borrowing spouse may remain in the home as long as they continue to occupy the home as a principal residence, are still married, and were married at the time the reverse mortgage was issued to the spouse listed on the reverse mortgage.

In 2021, HUD also removed the major remaining impediment to a non-borrowing spouse who wanted to stay in the home after the borrower’s death. Now they will no longer have to provide proof of “good and marketable title or a legal right to remain in the home,” which often meant a probate filing and had forced many spouses into foreclosure.

Two Other Types of Reverse Mortgages

The information provided so far answers the questions “What is a reverse mortgage?” and “How do reverse mortgages work?” for HECMs, but there are also two other kinds: the single-purpose reverse mortgage and the proprietary reverse mortgage.

Here’s more information about each of them.

Single-Purpose Reverse Mortgage

This loan is offered by state and local governments and nonprofit agencies. It’s the least expensive option, but the lender determines how the funds can be used. For example, the loan might be approved to catch up on property taxes or to make necessary home repairs.

Check with the organization giving the loan for specifics about costs, as they can vary.

Proprietary Reverse Mortgage

If a home is appraised at a value that exceeds the maximum for an HECM ($1,209,750), a homeowner could pursue a proprietary reverse mortgage.

Counseling may be required before obtaining one of these loans, and a counselor can help a homeowner decide between an HECM and a proprietary loan.

Typically, proprietary reverse mortgages can only be cashed out in a lump sum. The costs can be substantial and interest rates higher. This type of reverse mortgage, unlike an HECM, is not federally insured, so lenders tend to approve a lower percentage of the home’s value than they would with an HECM.

One cost a borrower wouldn’t have to pay with a proprietary mortgage: upfront mortgage insurance or the monthly premiums. In some cases, the costs associated with this type of mortgage may cause a homeowner to decide to sell the home and buy a new one.



💡 Quick Tip: Generally, the lower your debt-to-income ratio, the better loan terms you’ll be offered. One way to improve your ratio is to increase your income (hello, side hustle!). Another way is to consolidate your debt and lower your monthly debt payments.

Pros and Cons of Reverse Mortgages

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Pros:

•   No monthly payments

•   Flexibility on how you get money

•   Can pay back the loan whenever you want

•   The money counts as a loan, not as income

•   An HECM can be used to buy a new primary residence

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Cons:

•   Rates can be higher than traditional mortgage rates

•   Generally requires reducing your home equity

•   Must keep up with property taxes, insurance, repairs, and any association dues

•   Interest accrued isn’t deductible until it’s actually paid

If you’re nearing retirement, it’s easy to see why reverse mortgages are appealing. Here are some of their pros:

•   Unlike most loans, you don’t have to make any monthly payments. The HECM loan can be used for anything, whether that’s debt, health care, daily expenses, or buying a vacation home (although this is not true for the single-purpose variety).

•   How you get the money from an HECM is flexible. You can choose whether to get a lump sum, monthly disbursement, line of credit, or some combination of the three.

•   You can pay back the loan whenever you want, even if that means waiting until you’re ready to sell the house. If the home is sold for less than the amount owed on the mortgage, borrowers may not have to pay back more than 95% of the home’s appraised value because the mortgage insurance paid on the loan covers the remainder.

•   The money from a reverse mortgage counts as a loan, not as income. As a result, payments are not subject to income tax. Social Security and Medicare also are not affected.

•   An HECM can be used to buy a new primary residence. You’d make a down payment and then finance the rest of the purchase with the reverse mortgage.

Then again, here are some downsides of reverse mortgages to consider:

•   Reverse mortgage interest rates can be higher than traditional mortgage rates. The added cost of mortgage insurance also applies, and, like most mortgage loans, there are origination and third-party fees you will be responsible for paying, as described above.

•   Taking out a reverse mortgage generally means reducing the equity in your home. That can mean leaving less for those who might inherit your house.

•   You’ll need to keep up property taxes and insurance, repairs, and any association dues. If you don’t pay insurance or taxes, or if you let your home go into disrepair, you risk defaulting on the reverse mortgage, which means the outstanding balance could be called as immediately “due and payable.”

•   Interest accrued on a reverse mortgage isn’t deductible until it’s actually paid (usually when the loan is paid off). And a deduction of mortgage interest may be limited.

Alternatives to Reverse Mortgages

A reverse mortgage payout depends on the borrower’s age, the value of their home, the mortgage interest rate, and loan fees, as well as whether they choose a lump sum, line of credit, monthly payment, or a combination of those options.

If the payout will not provide financial stability that allows an individual to age in place, there are other ways to tap into cash, including:

Cash-out refi: If you meet credit and income requirements, you may be able to borrow up to 80% of your home’s value with a cash-out refinance of an existing mortgage. Closing costs are involved, but this product lets you turn home equity into cash and possibly lock in a lower interest rate.

Personal loan: A personal loan could provide a lump sum without diminishing the equity in your home. This kind of loan does not use your home as collateral. It’s generally a loan for shorter-term purposes.

Home equity line of credit (HELOC): A HELOC, based in part on your home equity, provides access to cash in case you need it but requires interest payments only on the money you actually borrow. Sometimes a lender will waive or reduce closing costs if you keep the line open for at least three years. HELOCs usually have a variable interest rate.

Home equity loan: A fixed-rate home equity loan allows you to borrow a lump sum based on your home’s market value, minus any existing mortgages. You make a monthly principal and interest payment each month. Again, lenders may reduce or waive closing costs if you keep the loan for, usually, at least three years.

Recommended: What Are Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC)?

The Takeaway

A reverse mortgage may make sense for some older people who need to supplement their cash flow. But many factors must be considered, including the youngest homeowner’s age, home value, equity, loan rate and costs, heirs, and payout type. As homeowners are weighing the pros and cons, remember there are other options.

FAQ

What is the downside to a reverse mortgage?

Downsides to a reverse mortgage include typically higher interest rates than you’d pay with a traditional mortgage and the obligation to stay on top of property taxes, insurance, property repairs, and association dues. It also reduces your equity in the house, and if you don’t abide by your contract, you could risk losing your home.

How much money do you actually get from a reverse mortgage?

With a reverse mortgage, you can typically receive between 40% and 60% of the appraised value of your home. The exact amount depends on factors like the value of your home or the current lending limit (whichever is less), prevailing mortgage rates, and the age of the youngest borrower (older people get more). Keep in mind that any existing mortgages or liens have to be paid off, and there are generally fees to be paid, which can affect how much money you ultimately get.

Can you run out of money with a reverse mortgage?

Especially if you get a reverse mortgage when you’re relatively young, it’s possible to outlive your reverse mortgage funds. In that case, you’d need to find other ways to support yourself. If you’re considering a reverse mortgage, it can make sense to wait for a while, remembering that the older the borrowers are, the larger the amount they’re likely to receive.



*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

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Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.


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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

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What Is a Series E Savings Bond?

What Is a Series E Savings Bond?

Series EE bonds, or Patriot Bonds, were initiated in 1980 as a low-risk way for Americans to save. The money invested is guaranteed to double in 20 years.

They build upon the tradition of Series E bonds, or war bonds, which were introduced by the federal government in 1941. Learn more about this savings vehicle here.

Key Points

•   Series EE bonds, introduced in 1980, are low-risk U.S. Treasury bonds guaranteed to double in value within 20 years, making them a safe investment option.

•   These bonds can only be purchased electronically through a TreasuryDirect account, with a minimum purchase of $25 and a maximum of $10,000 per person annually.

•   Interest on Series EE bonds compounds semi-annually and is taxable at the federal level, although tax exemptions may apply for qualified education expenses.

•   Holding Series EE bonds for 20 years will yield a guaranteed return, but they can also be held for an additional 10 years to continue earning interest.

•   Alternative investment options, such as high-yield savings accounts and stocks, may offer better returns but come with varying levels of risk compared to Series EE bonds.

What Is a Series EE Bond?

A series EE bond is a U.S. Treasury bond. It’s considered to be a very safe investment, as it’s backed by the U.S. government. It is guaranteed to double in value in 20 years, even if the government has to add funds to it to meet that mark.

To provide some context, here’s a quick look at what bonds are and how bonds work. A bond is a debt instrument. Bonds are issued by corporations or governments in order to raise capital. The bond market is huge — much larger than the equity markets. (In 2023, the market cap of the global bond market was about $133 trillion, versus $111 trillion for the stock market.) Investors provide capital to companies and governments when they buy the bonds, effectively loaning their money to that institution.

Meanwhile, the bond issuer agrees to pay investors the capital back, along with interest, after a certain period.

There are different kinds of bonds investors can purchase, including municipal, corporate, high-yield bonds, and U.S. Treasuries. A savings bond is a type of U.S. Treasury bond, issued with the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, meaning there’s virtually no chance of losing money. Savings bonds allow the government to borrow money for various purposes while giving investors a reliable and predictable stream of interest income.

Series E bonds, which were created in 1941 to help fund the WWII effort, were replaced in 1980 with Series EE bonds, or Patriot Bonds.

Increase your savings
with a limited-time APY boost.*


*Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and pay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 3/30/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply here. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

How Do Series EE Bonds Work?

If you’re interested in buying bonds, here are details on how a Series EE bond works:

•   Series EE bonds are electronic and can only be purchased and managed online with a TreasuryDirect account. They are available in any denomination starting at $25, up to $10,000 per person named on the bond, per calendar year.

•   These bonds are guaranteed to double in value in 20 years, even if the government needs to kick in extra cash. You can hold the bond for up to 10 additional years to continue to earn interest.

•   When you purchase a Series EE bond, the interest rate will be stated. Through October 31, 2025, the interest rate is 2.70%.

•   Interest is earned monthly, compounding semi-annually, for up to 30 years, unless you cash it sooner.

•   Series EE bonds can be cashed in (or redeemed) after 12 months, but early withdrawal can trigger a penalty of partial interest loss.

•   Electronic Series EE bonds can be cashed in via the TreasuryDirect site.

•   Interest earned on Series EE bonds is taxable at the federal level. Federal estate, gift, and excise taxes, as well as state estate or inheritance taxes, may also apply. If the money is used for qualified education expenses, however, you may not be subject to taxes.

•   The TreasuryDirect site also makes 1099-INT statements of interest earnings available annually.

Recommended: Understanding the Yield to Maturity (YTM) Formula

Understanding Series E Bonds

The popularity of Series E bonds may have hinged largely on the patriotic call to purchase them as part of the war effort. Buying bonds served two purposes: It helped the government to raise money for the war and it also helped to keep inflation at bay as shortages threatened to push consumer prices up. Apart from that, there were other qualities that might have made a Series E saving bond attractive.

These bonds were issued at 75% of their face value and returned 2.9% interest, compounded semiannually if held to 10-year maturity. So investors were able to earn a decent rate of return on their investment.

Series E bonds were also affordable, with initial denominations ranging from $25 to $1,000. Larger denominations of $5,000 and $10,000 were added later, along with two smaller memorial denominations of $75 and $200 to commemorate the deaths of President Kennedy and President Roosevelt, respectively.

Series E bonds were redeemable at any time after two months following the date of issue. Bond purchasers could redeem them for the full face value, along with any interest earned.

Interest from Series E bonds was taxable at the federal level but exempt from state and local taxes, adding to their appeal. And because they were issued by the federal government, they were considered a safe investment.

Recommended: Understanding the Yield to Maturity (YTM) Formula

Series EE Bond Maturity Rate

The maturity rate for EE bonds depends on when they were first issued.

Here’s a table showing the maturity dates for Series EE bonds over time:

Issuing Date Maturity Period
January – October 1980 11 years
November 1980 – April 1981 9 years
May 1981 – October 1982 8 years
November 1982 – October 1986 10 years
November 1986 – February 1993 12 years
March 1993 – April 1995 18 years
May 1995 – May 2003 17 years
After June 2003 20 years

Are Series EE Bonds Right for Me?

Series EE bonds can be a convenient, low-risk way to help your money grow over time. Plus, many people like the idea of investing in America and having their investment backed by the U.S. government. However, the rate of return may not be optimal, and the bonds are typically held for quite a long time versus a short-term investment.

Here are two popular alternatives you might consider to grow your money:

Savings Accounts

A savings account is a deposit account that’s designed to hold the money you don’t plan to spend right away. You can find various types of savings accounts at traditional banks, credit unions, and online banks. Savings accounts can pay interest, though not all at the same rate.

High-yield savings accounts at online banks, for example, tend to pay much higher rates than basic savings accounts at brick-and-mortar banks. Currently, they may offer around 3.00% APY (annual percentage yield) versus a national average of 0.42% APY as of December 16, 2024 for savings accounts.

Stocks

If you’re unclear about how stocks work, they effectively represent an ownership share in a company. When you buy shares of stock, you’re buying an ownership stake in a publicly traded company. The way you make money with stock investing is by buying low and selling high. In other words, you want to purchase stocks at one price then sell them for a higher price.

Stock trading can be a more powerful way to build wealth over time versus keeping money in a savings account or buying bonds. But there’s a tradeoff since stocks tend to be much riskier than bonds or savings accounts. Buying shares of mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which hold a collection of different stocks as well as bonds, is one strategy for managing that risk.

Recommended: Bonds vs. CDs: What’s Smart for Your Money?

Banking With SoFi

Series EE savings bonds can be a safe way to earn a steady rate of return. However, they aren’t the only way to grow your money.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy 3.30% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings with eligible direct deposit.

FAQ

When should I cash in EE savings bonds?

Series EE savings bonds are optimally held for 20 years, at which point the money invested will have doubled. If you’d like to keep earning interest, you may hold the bonds for up to an additional 10 years.

How long does it take for a Series EE savings bond to mature?

Series EE savings bonds mature in 20 years. At the end of that period, the initial investment’s value will have doubled. You may hold them an additional 10 years and continue to earn interest, if you like.

Do Series EE savings bonds double after 20 years? 30 years?

Series EE savings bonds double after 20 years. If you don’t redeem them, you may continue to earn interest on them for another 10 years, for a total of 30 years.


About the author

Rebecca Lake

Rebecca Lake

Rebecca Lake has been a finance writer for nearly a decade, specializing in personal finance, investing, and small business. She is a contributor at Forbes Advisor, SmartAsset, Investopedia, The Balance, MyBankTracker, MoneyRates and CreditCards.com. Read full bio.



Photo credit: iStock/loveguli

SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

Eligible Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

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Purchasing Power 101: Examining the Value of the US Dollar

Purchasing Power 101: Examining the Value of the US Dollar

Purchasing power is a concept used to express the amount of goods and services a consumer or business can buy with a given unit of currency. In the United States, purchasing power is directly linked to the value of the dollar.

Due to inflation, a dollar today typically won’t go as far as it did last year. And a dollar next year won’t buy the same things that it did this year. This fluctuation in U.S. dollar purchasing power is constant, and typically goes unnoticed, except in times of extreme inflation.

Key Points

•   Purchasing power is the quantity of goods and services that can be bought with a unit of currency.

•   Inflation decreases the purchasing power of the U.S. dollar, influencing consumer and business decisions.

•   The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures inflation, which impacts various economic indicators.

•   Inflation can pose challenges but also indicates economic growth, affecting stock market returns.

•   Investors can diversify their portfolios to help protect against inflation, and consider assets such as value stocks, REITs, and commodities.

How Does Purchasing Power Impact Investors?

Once you understand the purchasing power definition, you can start to understand its context for investing. The purchasing power of a dollar affects investors because it makes an impact on virtually every aspect of the broader economy.

When the dollar buys less, it changes the shopping decisions of consumers, the hiring practices of employers, the strategic decisions of corporations, and the monetary policy of the Federal Reserve.

One way to track inflation and the purchasing power of a dollar is the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a statistic compiled by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which reports the figure every month. The statistic measures the average prices of a set of goods and services in sectors such as transportation, food, and healthcare. Economists consider it a valuable gauge of the ever-changing cost of living, though it does exclude some important spending categories, including real estate and education.

Investors, executives, and policymakers use CPI as a lens through which to scrutinize other economic indicators, including sales numbers, revenues, earnings, and so on. It also determines the payments made to the millions of people on Social Security, which gets adjusted for the cost of living every year, and retirees drawing a pension from the military or the Federal Civil Services.


💡 Quick Tip: Look for an online brokerage with low trading commissions as well as no account minimum. Higher fees can cut into investment returns over time.

Why Does the Value of the Dollar Change?

A number of factors drive the value of the U.S. dollar, including large-scale factors having to do with economic cycles, government politics, and international relations.

But the dollar has also experienced inflation for most of the last century. Inflation rose after World War I amid increased demand for food and other raw materials, which raised prices of most consumer goods up until the Great Depression, in which the country experienced prolonged deflation.

That’s when President Franklin Roosevelt stepped in with a surprising policy decision: He banned private ownership of gold, and required people to sell their holdings to the government. That allowed the Federal Reserve to increase the money supply and stop deflation in its tracks.

Since 1933, through World War II, the Cold War, and a host of changing monetary and economic policies, the U.S. dollar has seen various rates of inflation. It reached its peak during the late 1970s and early 1980s oil and gas shortages exacerbated existing inflation and led to a gas shortage, and an increase in the price of manufacturing and shipping of nearly every single consumer good.

Inflation rose at a more steady pace through the 1990s, falling to historically low levels in the past decade. One reason for the ongoing inflation is that the Federal Reserve continually increased the money supply via economic stimulus. The logic is simple supply and demand: If there are more dollars, then each one is worth less in terms of purchasing power.

Following the pandemic in 2020, economies around the world also experienced inflation, which peaked in 2022, but has since fallen near more typical levels.

What Purchasing Power Means for Investors

Generally, investors consider inflation a headwind for the markets, as it drives up the costs of materials and labor, boosts the cost of borrowing and tends to reduce consumer spending. That all tends to translate to lower earnings growth, which can depress stock prices.

But after decades of steady inflation, the markets have priced in a certain amount of shrinkage when it comes to the purchasing power of the dollar. Inflation has a great impact when it occurs suddenly and unexpectedly.

But inflation can have benefits for investors as well. During an economic upswing, inflation is a reliable side effect of prosperity, since economic booms produce higher profits, which drives up the markets.

Investors saving for long-term goals, such as retirement, must take declining purchasing power into account when determining how much they’ll need to reach those goals.


💡 Quick Tip: It’s smart to invest in a range of assets so that you’re not overly reliant on any one company or market to do well. For example, by investing in different sectors you can add diversification to your portfolio, which may help mitigate some risk factors over time.

How Does Inflation Influence Stocks?

Inflation impacts different types of stocks differently, and there are several strategies that investors can use to hedge against inflation. During periods of high inflation, growth stocks tend to underperform, simply because so much of their value is tied up in the expectation of future earnings, and inflation diminishes those expectations.

Value stocks, on the other hand, typically boast steadier earnings, and are valued in line with those earnings. As a result, value stocks, as a category, tend to hold up better during periods of high inflation.

Other investments to consider during periods of high inflation include dividend-paying utility stocks and REITs, gold and other commodities. And because periods of high inflation usually bring higher interest rates, it can be a good time to buy bonds, especially government bonds

The Takeaway

The value of the dollar, in terms of what it can buy, changes over time, but inflation isn’t always bad news for investors. Some stocks may perform better than others in an inflationary environment, and higher interest rates may be good news for bond investors and savers.

Invest in what matters most to you with SoFi Active Invest. In a self-directed account provided by SoFi Securities, you can trade stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, options, and more — all while paying $0 commission on every trade. Other fees may apply. Whether you want to trade after-hours or manage your portfolio using real-time stock insights and analyst ratings, you can invest your way in SoFi's easy-to-use mobile app.

Opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.¹

FAQ

What is purchasing power?

The phrase “purchasing power” refers to the quantity of goods or services that a consumer can purchase with a unit of currency.

How does purchasing power affect investors?

Changes in purchasing power, often related to inflation or rising prices, can affect companies’ revenues, earnings, and more, cascading into economic indicators, and eventually, altering the markets. That, in effect, can impact investors.

Is inflation beneficial for investors?

It’s possible that inflation can have benefits for investors. During an economic upswing, inflation is a reliable side effect of prosperity, since economic booms produce higher profits, which drives up the markets, for example.


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INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest is a trade name used by SoFi Wealth LLC and SoFi Securities LLC offering investment products and services. Robo investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Brokerage and self-directed investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

For disclosures on SoFi Invest platforms visit SoFi.com/legal. For a full listing of the fees associated with Sofi Invest please view our fee schedule.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.


¹Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify. Probability percentage is subject to decrease. See full terms and conditions.

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Pros & Cons of Sector Investing

Pros & Cons of Sector Investing

Sector investing simply refers to targeted investing in a particular market sector or industry. Finance, real estate, utilities, and retail are a few examples of common sectors.

Many institutional investors use a sector investing strategy, but it’s one that individual investors can use as well, either by selecting individual stocks according to a theme or to describe different exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds that focus their investments on a single sector.

Key Points

•   Sector investing focuses on specific market segments, allowing targeted exposure.

•   ETFs provide an accessible way to invest in sectors, enhancing portfolio diversification.

•   Diversification within sectors can help mitigate risks, balancing potential losses and gains.

•   Sector investing may involve significant volatility and concentration risk, impacting returns.

•   Sector rotation strategies align investments with economic cycles, optimizing performance.

Common Investing Sectors

Investors who want exposure to the following sectors can either invest directly in companies or assets, or invest in ETFs or mutual funds composed of securities within that sectors.

Health Care

This section focuses on companies that contribute to health care needs and related endeavors. These may include hospitals and related real estate, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, companies that make medical devices, and more.

Precious Metals

The precious metals sector is historically seen as a relatively safe haven asset that investors tend to flock to in times of crisis. Even outside of a crisis, companies involved in the exploration of new metal deposits and mining of those deposits can sometimes provide significant returns.

Investors may be keen to find ways to invest in gold, but other examples include mining companies, direct investments in commodities, or in funds or ETFs that hold them.

Real Estate

This sector includes real estate developers and property owners, as well as mortgage-backed securities.

Real estate investors may also choose to put money into real estate investment trusts (REITs), which use investor money to acquire income-producing properties like data centers, office builds, shopping malls, or apartment buildings. One attractive feature of REITs is that they pay out a large portion of their income in the form of dividends to investors.

Utilities

Utility investing focuses on companies that provide utilities like phone and internet service, electricity, or natural gas. Utilities are considered to be a defensive sector, since they tend to do well during a recession because people almost always need the services they provide.

Tech

Technology companies have become an increasingly large part of the economy as more organizations continue to undergo digital transformation. Investments in the tech sector might include streaming video providers, computer companies, or social media companies.

Consumer Staples

This sector focuses on the companies that make or sell items that people need to buy, such as supermarkets, food producers, and convenience stores.

Consumer Discretionary

This sector includes companies that make or sell goods that people like to purchase but don’t need, such as e-commerce companies, home improvement, apparel, or sporting goods retailers. This sector tends to perform well during times of economic expansion and to lag during a recession.

Energy

This sector focuses on companies that produce or supply energy. That may include oil drillers, coal miners, and pipeline operators. Some energy investors might focus only on stocks in the renewable energy space, such as wind farms or solar panel producers.

Recommended: Investing in Low Carbon Stocks: What to Know

Pros of Sector Investing

Some of the benefits involved in sector investing include diversification and the ability to invest with market cycles.

Diversification

Investing in multiple sectors of the economy is one method of attaining diversification within a portfolio, which involves investing in many different types of stocks. If some sectors produce outsize gains, they can help offset lower returns in other sectors.

Rotation Strategy

One of the more common sector investing strategies is sector rotation, meaning that investors change their allocation to certain sectors depending on the economic cycle. For example, they might invest more heavily in the utility sector during a recession, when utilities tend to outperform, and move those funds into consumer discretionary goods during a recovery.

Cons of Sector Investing

While sector investing may prove beneficial, it also has its potential drawbacks. Some of the same features that make this strategy profitable or appealing can also make it risky.

Potential Volatility

Things that impact one sector as a whole tend to affect most or all companies within that sector. As a result, a single relevant event or news headline could have dramatic consequences for those heavily invested. This could result in large moves upward or downward.

For example, imagine being heavily invested in the oil and natural gas sector. Suddenly, the demand for energy plummets because of restrictions on travel, decreased consumer spending, and overall lack of demand for petroleum products. This would likely have a dramatic effect on nearly all companies in the oil and gas sector, leading to potentially large losses for investors with a large exposure to this sector.

On the other hand, if markets became optimistic that a future event would restore demand, or something happened to decrease supply, then volatility could swing the other way pushing up the value of investments.

Recommended: How Investors Can Manage Stock Volatility

Concentration risk

Concentration risk is a form of investment risk in which investors over-allocate a portion of their portfolio to a single sector and lose the downside protection that may come with a properly diversified portfolio, which spreads investments across different types of assets to minimize risk.

It is notoriously difficult for individual investors to sustainably engage in stock market timing, in which they can precisely determine the most optimal time to buy and sell a specific investment.

Sector ETF Investing

Investing in sector-focused ETFs is one of the easiest and most common ways to invest in sectors. Sector-specific exchange-traded funds hold dozens or hundreds of stocks within a specific sector, allowing investors to get exposure to the entire sector without having to make investments in individual companies.

Choosing an ETF takes less time and research than choosing many individual stocks. While ETFs may not experience the same level of gains as individual stocks, they also have less volatility.

The Takeaway

Sector investing involves making investments in specific parts, segments, or sectors of the economy. There can be pros and cons to doing so, and investors should consider all factors or even speak with a financial professional before making a decision.

To determine the best investing strategy for you, you’ll need to consider your long-term goals, your risk tolerance, financial objectives, and the amount of time and effort you want to spend choosing investments.

Invest in what matters most to you with SoFi Active Invest. In a self-directed account provided by SoFi Securities, you can trade stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, options, and more — all while paying $0 commission on every trade. Other fees may apply. Whether you want to trade after-hours or manage your portfolio using real-time stock insights and analyst ratings, you can invest your way in SoFi's easy-to-use mobile app.

Opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.¹

FAQ

What is sector investing?

Sector investing refers to targeted investing in a particular market sector or industry, and can be utilized as a strategy incorporating stocks, funds, or other assets.

What are common sectors that investors invest in?

Some common sectors or industries that sector investors invest in include finance, real estate, utilities, and retail, among many others.

What are the risks of sector investing?

A couple of common risks associated with sector investing include concentration risk, and risks associated with increased volatility within specific sectors.


Photo credit: iStock/diego_cervo

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest is a trade name used by SoFi Wealth LLC and SoFi Securities LLC offering investment products and services. Robo investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Brokerage and self-directed investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

For disclosures on SoFi Invest platforms visit SoFi.com/legal. For a full listing of the fees associated with Sofi Invest please view our fee schedule.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.


¹Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify. Probability percentage is subject to decrease. See full terms and conditions.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

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What to Know About a Market Sell-Off

A market sell-off occurs when a large pool of investors decides to sell stocks. When they do this, stock prices fall as a result. A market sell-off may be due to external events, such as public health emergencies or natural disasters. But sometimes, sell-offs can be triggered by earnings reports that failed expectations, technological disruption, or internal shifts within an industry.

During a market sell-off, stock prices tumble. That stock volatility might lead other investors to wonder whether they should sell as well, whether they should hold their current investments, or whether they should buy while stock prices are low. There are a lot of things to consider.

Key Points

•   A market sell-off occurs when a large group of investors sells stocks, causing prices to drop.

•   Causes of sell-offs may include external events, industry changes, and corporate news.

•   Timing the market can be difficult to do, often requiring luck as well as deep industry knowledge.

•   Risk tolerance can influence how investors handle market sell-offs.

•   Diversification helps protect a portfolio from market volatility.

Understanding Bull Markets vs Bear Markets

Understanding the overall stock market environment can help investors understand how sell-offs exist within the market.

It’s not uncommon to see references to a bull market and a bear market. A bull market is when the stock market is showing gains. Some suggest that a 20% (or higher) rise in the broader market index over a period of two months or more indicates a bull market, but the phrase is commonly used when stocks are “charging ahead,” and is generally considered a good thing for investors.

A bear market, on the other hand, is typically used to describe situations when major indexes fall 20% or more from their recent peak, and remain there for at least two months.

There are also “corrections.” This is when the market falls 10% or more from a recent stock market high. Market corrections are called such because historically, they “correct” prices to a longer-term trend, rather than hold them at a high that’s not sustainable. Sometimes, corrections turn into a bear market. Other times, corrections reach a low and then begin to climb back to a more level price, avoiding a bear market.

What to Do During a Market Sell-Off

A sell-off can make news, and can make investors feel on-edge. After all, investors don’t want to lose money and some investors fear that a sell-off portends more bad news, like a bear market.

Other investors see sell-offs as an opportunity tobuy stocks at lower prices before the market bounces back. But a sell-off or correction may not trigger a dramatic change in every investor’s portfolio. That’s because a sell-off or correction may be limited to a certain market sector or group of stocks, such as if a tariff impacted select companies.

So, what should an investor do during a market sell-off? That depends on the goals of an investor. Market sell-offs are “normal” fluctuations of the market, and investors who have a diversified portfolio may not do anything. Others may choose to either buy or sell, and neither decision is one-size-fits-all.

Pros & Cons of Selling During a Sell-Off

Some investors may get spooked and sell stocks in fear that the market will slide further. But while taking money out of the market may give investors confidence and cash in their pockets, removing money from the market might make it hard for investors to decide when to re-invest in the market in the future. As a result, they may miss opportunities to take advantage of compounding returns in investments.

Pros & Cons of Buying During a Sell-Off

Other investors may see a sell-off as an opportunity to invest when the market is down. They might buy stocks at a lower price, then wait for the market to bounce back. But a market sell-off may not necessarily be the optimum time to buy stocks, especially if it’s unclear what’s driving the sell-off.

Many investors pride themselves on their perceived ability to “time the market,” or buy stocks right before they begin to rise again. But the truth is that attempting to “time the market” often relies on luck, deep knowledge of the industry, timing, or a combination of all three, and it can easily backfire

For many investors, the best way to “time” the market may be to invest when they can afford to do so in a diversified portfolio, and allow their money to ride out the highs and lows of market movements.

Why Risk Tolerance Matters During Market Sell-Offs

Understanding your own risk tolerance and investment goals can help an investor decide how to handle a market sell-off. Risk tolerance is the amount of risk an investor is willing to take, and depends on several factors.

•   Risk capacity. This is your ability to handle a risk. For example, people who are depending on their investment portfolio to fund their lives, such as retirees, may have a lower risk tolerance than young people who have years for their portfolio to make up losses.

•   Benchmarks. Are there benchmarks their portfolio has to hit at set periods of time so that their portfolio reaches the goals they have set?

•   Emotional tolerance. All investors have different emotional capacity for risk tolerance that may be independent from the actual amount of money within the portfolio.

Understanding your personal risk tolerance can help you build an investment portfolio that may be less vulnerable to market sell-offs and can also give you less trepidation during a sell-off.


💡 Quick Tip: When people talk about investment risk, they mean the risk of losing money. Some investments are higher risk, some are lower. Be sure to bear this in mind when investing online.

How Diversification Can Help Protect a Portfolio From Sell-Offs

A portfolio diversification strategy may be different between investors, but the underlying logic of any diversification strategy is that they shouldn’t put all of their eggs in one basket. Since it’s not unusual for a sell-off to affect only parts of the market, a diverse portfolio may be able to better ride out a market sell-off than a portfolio that is particularly weighted toward one sector, industry, or exchange.

Some investors may diversify with a range of assets in their portfolio. Others may diversify their portfolio with a range of domestic and international stocks. And others may see diversification as a way to invest beyond the market, such as investing directly in real estate, art, or other different types of alternative investments that are independent of market movement.

Another way some investors ensure diversification within their portfolio is to focus the majority of their portfolio on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds, instead of individual stocks. ETFs and mutual funds can contain hundreds or even thousands of securities across asset classes, which can potentially make the fund less vulnerable to market dips.

Protecting a Portfolio From Sell-Offs

In addition to building a portfolio that’s less vulnerable to market volatility, investors have several options to further protect their portfolio. These preventative investment measures can remove emotion during a market dip or sell-off, so that an investor knows that there are stopgaps and safeguards for their portfolio.

Stop Losses

This is an automatic trade order that investors can set up so that shares of a certain stock are automatically traded or sold when they hit a price predetermined by an investor. This can protect an investment for an individual stock or for an overall market drop. There are several stop loss order variants, including a hard stop (the trade will execute when the stock reaches a set price) and a trailing stop (the price to trade changes as the price of the stock increases).

Put Options

Put options are another type of order that allow investors to sell at a set price during a certain time frame; “holding” the price if the stock drops lower and allowing the investor to sell at the higher price even if the stock drops further.

Limit Orders

Investors can also set limit orders. These allow an investor to choose the price and number of shares they wish to buy of a certain stock. The trade will only execute if the stock hits the set price. This allows investors freedom from tracking numbers as price points shift.

The Takeaway

A market sell-off is triggered when a large group of investors sell their stocks at once, causing stock prices to drop. A sell-off can be caused by world events, industry changes, or even corporate news.

There is no single smart way to react to a sell-off. Different investors will gravitate toward different strategies. But by researching companies and setting up a portfolio based on risk tolerance, an investor can feel confident that their portfolio can withstand market volatility.

Invest in what matters most to you with SoFi Active Invest. In a self-directed account provided by SoFi Securities, you can trade stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, options, and more — all while paying $0 commission on every trade. Other fees may apply. Whether you want to trade after-hours or manage your portfolio using real-time stock insights and analyst ratings, you can invest your way in SoFi's easy-to-use mobile app.

Opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.¹


INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest is a trade name used by SoFi Wealth LLC and SoFi Securities LLC offering investment products and services. Robo investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Brokerage and self-directed investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

For disclosures on SoFi Invest platforms visit SoFi.com/legal. For a full listing of the fees associated with Sofi Invest please view our fee schedule.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.


¹Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify. Probability percentage is subject to decrease. See full terms and conditions.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

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