Can a lender consider my age when deciding on a mortgage?
Short answer
Generally no. The CFPB says a creditor cannot use age to make credit decisions, with limited exceptions. A valid credit scoring system may not disfavor applicants age 62 or older, though it may favor them. Age is also used for a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (a reverse-mortgage product).
Full explanation
The CFPB says a creditor such as a lender generally cannot use age to decide whether to grant a mortgage or home equity loan. That is a general rule with stated exceptions, not a finding about any particular file.
Age may be used in a valid credit scoring system, but that system cannot disfavor applicants who are 62 or older. The same system may favor applicants in that age group. Age is also used when someone applies for a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, a reverse-mortgage product.
A lender may also relate age to other creditworthiness facts it already considers. The CFPB's example is using job status and time to retirement to judge whether income, including retirement income, will be adequate for the life of the loan. This FAQ lists only the age-related points in the CFPB source. It does not restate other fair-lending statutes or protected bases. This is general information, not legal advice about a credit decision.
Sources reviewed
Can a lender consider your age when deciding whether to give you a mortgage or home equity loan?
Last reviewed
September 10, 2026