Episode 127: Long-Term Care Planning (Part 11): Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance Policies

In this conversation, Alex and Wade discuss traditional long-term care insurance policies. They address the declining popularity of these policies and the shift towards hybrid policies. They also cover topics such as premium payments, care coordinators, and the importance of starting early with long-term care planning. Wade emphasizes the need to read the specific details of the policy and the potential for premium hikes. They also mention the option of Medicaid for those with limited assets. Overall, the conversation highlights the considerations and factors involved in choosing a long-term care insurance policy. In this conversation, Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia discuss the different types of long-term care insurance policies, focusing on traditional policies and hybrid policies. They cover the key features and considerations of each type, including coverage options, premium hikes, and the use-it-or-lose-it aspect. They also highlight the advantages of hybrid policies, such as level premiums, relaxed underwriting, and the ability to tap into the death benefit for long-term care expenses. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the perceived disadvantages of traditional policies and how hybrid policies aim to address them.

Takeaways

• Traditional long-term care insurance policies are becoming less popular, with less than 6% of Americans age 50 and older having these policies.


• The direction is shifting towards hybrid policies, which combine life insurance with long-term care benefits.


• Premium payments for traditional long-term care insurance can increase over time, and it's important to budget for potential premium hikes.


• Care coordinators can be valuable in helping individuals find the right care options.


• For those with limited assets, Medicaid may be a viable option for long-term care coverage.


• Starting early with long-term care planning is recommended, as waiting too long can lead to health issues that may disqualify individuals from coverage.


• Traditional long-term care insurance policies have coverage options for nursing home care, assisted living, at-home care, and other services, but they may not cover in-home care or respite care.


• Hybrid long-term care insurance policies, which combine life insurance or annuities with long-term care benefits, have become more popular due to their level premiums, relaxed underwriting, and the ability to tap into the death benefit for long-term care expenses.


• Hybrid policies offer more flexibility and liquidity compared to traditional policies, and they eliminate the risk of accidental lapses or premium hikes.


• While traditional policies may have lifetime benefits, hybrid policies typically have finite benefit periods, but they may offer continuation of care riders that provide additional long-term care benefits beyond the death benefit.


• Reviewing the language and features of your existing life insurance policy may reveal that you already have a long-term care benefit through an acceleration of death benefit rider.


• Hybrid policies can be a better use of assets, as they reduce the need for a large cash reserve and provide the potential for higher returns on invested assets.


• Hybrid policies have different names in the insurance industry, such as asset-based long-term care insurance or life insurance with a long-term care overlay.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

03:03 The Decline of Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance

04:23 The Rise of Hybrid Policies

06:20 Understanding Premium Payments

08:00 The Role of Care Coordinators

09:30 Considering Medicaid for Limited Assets

10:22 The Importance of Starting Early

26:45 Understanding Level Premiums

28:37 Hybrid Policies: The Darling of Long-Term Care Insurance

37:05 Different Approaches to Hybrid Policies

41:02 Advantages of Hybrid Policies

44:05 Flexibility and Liquidity of Hybrid Policies

45:08 Eliminating Disadvantages of Traditional Policies

Links

The Retirement Planning Guidebook: 2nd Edition has just been updated for 2024! Visit your preferred book retailer or simply click here to order your copy today: https://www.wadepfau.com/books/ 

This episode is sponsored by Retirement Researcher https://retirementresearcher.com/. Download their free eBook, 8 Tips to Becoming A Retirement Income Investor at retirementresearcher.com/8tips