Have you ever been asked in a social setting what you do for a living? When you tell people that you work in the reverse mortgage industry, do they wince? Do they launch into a debate with you about the value of the product? Do they enthusiastically recite erroneous beliefs about reverse mortgages, despite the fact that they can’t really define them? Or, do they simply offer an uncomfortable smile and change the topic a bit too quickly?

Unfortunately, these scenarios are not uncommon for those who work in this space. While the product has come a long way in the past 30 years, it admittedly has a ways to go before the public recognizes the important role it can play in one’s financial future.

In this month’s issue, we take a look at the facts surrounding the reason why so many financial professionals and retirement experts believe that reverse mortgages will become an essential tool for the boomer generation. We dig up stats that highlight the fact that so many Americans are approaching retirement with lots of vigor but little in the way of savings. Our feature story shows that in this economic climate, seniors are bound to get smart about leveraging their assets—and for many, their greatest asset is their home equity.

So next time you’re at a cocktail party and someone asks you what you do, tell them proudly that you work in the reverse mortgage industry. Relay the facts that we’ve provided, tell them how useful home equity can be in retirement, and turn them into believers.