It typically takes the average Canadian homeowner 25 to 30 years to pay off their mortgage, with 25 years being the standard amortization period. While some opt for shorter terms, rising home prices and interest rates have made 25–30 year schedules the norm, with many not paying off their mortgage until age 57 or older.
Canadian homeowners won't pay off their mortgages until age 57. Canadian homeowners with a mortgage now say they won't pay off their mortgages until age 57, says a new CIBC poll. The average age has risen by two years since a similar 2012 poll was conducted.
The amortization period is the time it takes to pay off a mortgage in full, including interest. The maximum amortization period may be 25 or 30 years, depending on the mortgage details.
Understanding Mortgage Affordability in Canada
For insured mortgages in Canada, CMHC recommends a maximum GDS ratio of 39%. For a $90,000 salary (which breaks down to $7,500 per month), this means your housing costs shouldn't exceed $2,925 per month.
The average age to pay off a mortgage in the U.S. is around 62, with many becoming mortgage-free in their early 60s, coinciding with or just after typical retirement age, though figures vary by source. While some financial experts suggest paying it off by 45 for aggressive investing, data shows a significant portion of homeowners, especially older ones (60+), are mortgage-free, but increasingly, older adults (60s, 70s, 80s) carry more mortgage debt than previous generations, according to Marketplace.
It's more likely a good idea if: Your mortgage rate is relatively high. You've already built a solid emergency fund. You don't have higher-interest debt (like credit cards or personal loans)
Based on this data, approximately less than 10% of Canadians aged 55 to 64 have $1,000,000 or more saved up to carry them into retirement. However, there are ways to improve your odds of getting to $1-million-plus in retirement savings, but it will take work.
Absolutely, seniors can obtain a mortgage in Canada. Age itself isn't a barrier; the real focus is on your financial situation and the property's value. Lenders are looking at several factors before making a decision. Income Stability: First, your income sources matter.
Yes, Dave Ramsey strongly advocates paying off your mortgage, calling it "Baby Step 6," because a debt-free house provides immense financial security, freedom, and a solid foundation for wealth, even arguing for it over investing at a low interest rate due to risk reduction and lifestyle benefits, though he stresses completing other steps like investing 15% first. He sees a paid-off home as a huge advantage for retirement, reducing stress and enabling career changes, and many millionaires follow this path.
And once you're retired, it might not make sense to pay off your mortgage faster if you have health issues that are costly, or if your retirement income is simply not enough.
The 3-7-3 Rule in mortgages isn't a loan type but a federal timeline from the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rule, ensuring borrower protection by mandating disclosures within 3 business days of application, a 7-business-day wait between the initial Loan Estimate and closing, and another 3-day wait if significant changes (like APR) occur, giving borrowers time to review costs before committing to a loan.
Mortgages make up about 70% of household balances. Conventional wisdom has long recommended that homeowners pay off their mortgage before retiring. Yet over the past three decades, more older adults are carrying their mortgage into retirement, while the amount owed has increased dramatically.
Short-term savings: Renting is cheaper than buying in the short term because you don't need a big down payment or lump sum to buy a house. Moving flexibility: You have much more flexibility with changing your home and moving around. This is great for individuals not set on living in the same place for years to come.