Long Term Care
Long-Term Care Insurance explained
In most cultures, the children take in their elderly. However, this may not be feasible for you or your loved ones. Perhaps they are in a different state, prefer to avoid dependence on family, or the family simply must work and cannot be there for you.
The final years of our lives often are the most expensive. Why? Medical cost! Some common medical conditions that can cost a lot include:
Alzheimer’s
Stroke
Cancer
Injuries
Diabetes
Obesity
Nervous system disorders
Many people never anticipate needing someone to change their diapers, bathe you, dress you, feed you, or just get out of bed. Yet, for thousands of people, this happens to them particularly near the end of life. The problem is that most people spend the majority of their retirement savings on...retirement. So, as you get toward the end of your life, a family member often becomes responsible for your caretaking.
Options:
Traditional Long-Term Care insurance
Provides a guaranteed tax-free income stream to cover LTC Expenses
Premiums are deductible as medical insurance (limits apply)
Full Underwriting
Pros:
Least expensive LTC insurance to get started
Benefit flexibility
Cons:
Premiums are subject to future increases
If you don’t need it, you don’t get anything back
Asset-Based LTC insurance
Purchase a Life Insurance Policy with an LTC benefit
Provides a guaranteed tax-free income stream to cover LTC expenses
Linked to a life insurance policy
Single-Premium or Flex Pay options are available
Leverages existing assets 4-5 times or more for LTC coverage
Cash value
Tax-free death benefit
Simplified or full underwriting
Pros:
Guaranteed premiums
Cash value component
LTC claims do not use the Life insurance death benefit
Cons:
While premiums remain constant, they are higher than traditional LTC policy premiums.
Purchase an Annuity with an LTC benefit
Provides a guaranteed tax-free income stream to cover LTC Expenses
Linked to an annuity contract
Single-Premium
Leverages existing assets 2-3x more for LTC coverage
Cash Value
Death Benefit
Simplified Underwriting
Tax-advantaged treatment for non-qualified funds
Pros:
Guaranteed Premiums
Cash value component
LTC claims do not use the Annuity death benefit
Simplified underwriting typically allows more people to qualify
Cons:
While they remain constant, premiums are higher than traditional LTC
Lower leveraging of assets than life chassis Based LTC insurance