Marriage War: She Wants Mortgage Paid Off, He Says She's Insane...
MarketWatch.com - Top StoriesOctober 23, 2026
Mortgage payoff decisions pit two competing financial philosophies against each other: the security of entering retirement debt-free versus the math of keeping low-interest debt when investment returns might exceed the mortgage rate. With rates like 2.75%, some financial advisers argue the money could grow faster elsewhere, while others prioritize the psychological and cash-flow benefits of eliminating a large obligation before leaving the workforce. The choice depends on factors including retirement timeline, investment discipline, other debts, and personal comfort with leverage in later years.