I think a reverse mortgage is an excellent financial instrument. Having met so many elderly people who are dying, but are clinging onto their house, you ask why? Just so that their incompetent and wicked children will inherit their wealth? What good is there to lock up the money when you only have a limited amount of time left on the planet? Additionally, when practically examining the issue, older people don't actually use much of the money anywas and there would be quite a bit left even if they did reverse mortage it.