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Grandparents spend $27.5 billion per year on Grandkids...72.2% of Grandparents wish they could spend more

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Grandparent's Day on Sunday, September 9, Liberty Reverse Mortgage and Sacramento State University have compiled the second annual Grandparent's Cost Index(R).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 56 million grandparents reside in the United States.

The purpose of the survey was to examine the amount of money that Grandparents spend on their grandchildren, what it is they spend their money on, and whether they feel like they are spending all they want or can on their grandchildren.

"Grandparents who have mortgages spend a lot less than those who do not," explains survey author Professor Dennis H. Tootelian, Ph.D.

"The economic impact of Grandparent's spending is huge, and it continues to grow as the spending power of these Grandparents increases." Grandparents will often borrow to spend more money on their grandchildren.

"Liberty Reverse Mortgage works with clients 62 and older, and we've gotten pretty smart about what their needs and desires are," says Pete Engelken, President of Liberty Reverse Mortgage. "Grandparents do not have any extravagant needs, they just want to be able to provide for themselves and spend money on their children and grandchildren. They simply don't have the cash flow to accomplish this."

According to a study released by the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association, age 62+ U.S. households, which comprise the majority of grandparents, have $4.3 trillion tied up in their home equity. If they were able to tap into even a small percentage of this equity, it would have a big impact on the nation's economy. According to the Grandparents Cost Index(R) study, additional spending could reach up to $56.2 billion.

For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release (or for a copy of the research) contact Greg Hayes or visit http://www.grandparentscostindex.com. Grandparents Cost Index(R) is an official trademark of Liberty Reverse Mortgage.

About Liberty Reverse Mortgage:

Liberty Reverse Mortgage changes the lives of seniors by enabling them to convert the equity in their home into cash. It is the largest independent Reverse Mortgage company in the U.S. It provides only reverse mortgages, allowing it to concentrate solely on this financial product and permitting it to impart expertise on the benefits and regulations surrounding this government-insured program.

Liberty recently entered into an agreement to be purchased by Genworth Financial(R). The transaction is expected to close in the next 90 days.