Abstract
We estimate the option value embedded in reverse mortgages using the framework of European put option. The reverse mortgage is a very useful financial product for senior citizens who own homes but do not have a cash income while it is a high risk one from lender's perspective. One of benefits of the reverse mortgages is that the debt limit is restricted to the scope of the disposition price of the collateralized house, which is considered a put option to borrowers. The put option is evaluated using Black-Scholes model and a sensitive analysis is performed on variables such as discount rate, volatility, and time period. We confirm that the option value of reverse mortgages increases rapidly as the borrowers live longer than their life expectancy. The results of this study can be used to promote the reverse mortgage program more effectively in order to solve the problem of income shortage of the elderly homeowners.