2 What criteria would you use to decide whether or not to pay off the mortgage early?

Rebekah Barsch wrote an article for Forbes addressing whether people should try to pay off their mortgage early, before they retire. She reports that while retiring debtfree traditionally used to be homeowners’
goal, times have changed. The article lists reasons why it might not be bad to hang on to your mortgage, even as you enter into retirement:
• The additional money not spent on your mortgage may allow you to maximize your retirement plan contributions and take full advantage of any available company match while you are still working.
• If you have a low interest rate on your mortgage, there may be better uses for your money in a low-interest-rate environment.
• You will have a tax advantage in deducting the mortgage interest paid for your main home if you are itemizing deductions on your tax return.
• You may want the liquidity to meet other needs during your retirement, including emergencies, general expenses, and discretionary spending.
Read the article to see the detail behind her reasoning and the tax advantages it offers.