Protect yourself and family with living insurance

There are still some people who don’t welcome the idea of requiring assistance in performing their daily living activities thinking that they will remain healthy in the latter part of their lives. It is estimated that around 70% of people who are 65 years old and above will require assistance in eating, toileting, bathing and walking. This need can cost you a fortune if you don’t plan for this ahead of time. Experts advice everyone to purchase insurance products such as long term care insurance and combination products that can help them cover their future care expenses. Just like what Liz suggests, it’s best to discuss your needs to a professional advisor who can help you find the most fitting policy for you.

Sudden Wealth From Retirement?

 

You made it. You are retired.

Your new job will be doing whatever you want! Sounds good, right?

Retirement can be a wonderful time. It’s a Life Event that usually happens to each of us at some point. Life Events are sometimes expected and other times a complete surprise. They often come with sudden wealth.

Retirement can come with the largest sum of money you’ll ever have to deal with. So it’s important that you make good decisions.

Understanding your retirement
Whether your retirement was planned, or shall we say, not planned, there will be many changes. You may want to discuss the details with your financial advisor, tax professional and attorney first. Here are a few things you’ll want to figure out:

Assess the retirement assets you have. I know I preach about financial planning, but retirement is an ideal time for it. It will help you get a complete picture of your retirement assets. You’ll need to know balances in your retirement plan from your former employer. You’ll also need to check the value of any IRAs you have. Do you have annuities, brokerage accounts or CDs? Include all of these as retirement assets.

Next, analyze your income and expenses. This is a critical step. Get a handle on what will be coming and going. Typically income as well as expenses go down in retirement, but that’s not always the case. Find out what sources of income you’ll have. Do you have a pension? Are you receiving any legal settlements or annuities? How much income will your portfolio produce?

Decide when to take Social Security. If you don’t need the income, then you may want to defer taking Social Security. If you wait till your full retirement age, you will receive 100% of the benefit. If you defer longer, then your benefit will increase. If your portfolio and other sources are not enough to cover your expenses, then you may need to take Social Security right away. Coordinate this with your spouse too.

Transitioning your portfolio for retirement. Sudden wealth from retirement can come with additional income, taxes and estate issues. You may have a very large rollover to deal with. Depending on whether you need income or not, you may have to change the composition of your portfolio. If you need income from your investments, then it will be less about growth. However, don’t invest too conservatively. You’ll still need a portion of your money in investments that can grow your portfolio over inflation. Work with your financial advisor to find the optimal balance of income and growth.

Other questions you may have
When do I have to take mandatory IRA distributions?
How can I generate portfolio income in a low-interest rate environment?
Do I need long-term care insurance? How much?
Do I still need life insurance?
Can I gift money to my children?
What will my taxes look like?
Will I be able to travel?

Perhaps the biggest question of all will be: Will I out live my money?

Retirement will be one of life’s most exciting and challenging events. If you just retired and are staring down the barrel at all these decisions, it may be time to do a little planning. The more chaotic life seems, and the more complex the decisions, planning will give you the clarity to make good choices.

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Long-Term Care Insurance Is An Emotional Decision

 

 

When it comes to money, most people get emotional. Making financial decisions is tough for many people.

 

When you buy a house, it is usually fun and exciting! When you purchase an auto or homeowners insurance, it may be frustrating, as you feel it is way too expensive.

One of the hardest financial decisions to make in your life is whether to purchase Long-Term Care (LTC) insurance. LTC insurance pays for a nursing home or home health care aid when you need additional medical care.

The reason that it is difficult to make this type of buying decision is because there are a lot of feelings and emotions involved related to aging and illness. In addition, it is emotional because of the amount of money that might be needed for this type of medical care.

Do you know someone who is currently in a nursing home or receiving care at home? Have you had to clean up after a parent that didn’t make it to the bathroom on time? How will your family feel about taking care of you when you are sick and need help? Do you think LTC insurance is too expensive and don’t want to part with the money?

Recently a friend whose mom is 80 years old and has had numerous illnesses over the years contracted a bacterial infection. The infection started with a trip to the emergency room and a four-day hospital stay. Mom was then sent home to recuperate, even though she was still in pretty bad shape. The illness was so bad that my friend had to stay home from work for several days to take care of her mother.

While she loves her mother, my friend quickly realized that taking care of mom was a lot harder than expected. It was uncomfortable to help her with bathing. It was aggravating to have to do all of the things that mom did for herself before she was sick. Watching her mom in pain was very difficult and she did not feel equipped to take on this responsibility.

While staying at home, new considerations came into play. How much vacation and sick time would she have to use up that she had earmarked for a family vacation? Would mom be better off in a nursing home with closer supervision? Would a home health care aid be sufficient? How much would a person that specializes in senior care cost? What is mom going to think about all of this?

When it comes to caring for a loved one who needs additional medical care, it’s not easy. The cost of care has skyrocketed, and the average cost of a nursing home is more than $200 per day nationally. Rates for a home health caregiver are over $20 per hour. These fees add up quickly.

If you are over the age of 50 in good health and haven’t considered buying LTC insurance, then you should put yourself in the shoes of my friend. Ask these questions and determine what you would want to happen if you should become ill and aren’t capable of taking care of yourself?

While paying for insurance that you may never use feels like a waste of money, what if you eventually have to pay for a nursing home? If you do get sick, how will everyone feel knowing that the finances are mostly covered? Conversely, how will you feel if you didn’t purchase LTC insurance when you had the money to pay for the insurance?

When considering purchasing LTC insurance, be aware that it will be emotional. However, having to pay for a nursing home is both emotionally and financially painful. Sometimes spending the money up front for long-term care is well worth not having to go through the emotional and financial drain of paying for this care out of your pocket. Think about it now so that your loved ones won’t have to deal with it later!

 

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Long Term Care Insurance Video Interview – What Is It and Why You Need It

 

In this video, Grace Herrington explains what long term care insurance is, and why you should have it. If you have assets you want to protect and want to provide for you and/or your family in the future, then long term care insurance might be a wise investment.

Watch the original video here.

4 Reasons You Need Long Term Care Insurance

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that health care costs are among the leading concerns on people’s minds when nearing retirement.

The average couple retiring in 2014 can expect to pay $220,000 to $240,000 in health-care costs during the course of their retirements, according to a new estimate from Fidelity Investments. As if this weren’t scary enough, lost in the fine print is the fact that this figure doesn’t include long-term care.

Long-term care costs can vary widely by type of care and location. A single room at a nursing home facility will cost on average close to $88,000 a year, with a typical stay of approximately four years. Part-time in-home care by a home health care practitioner will cost considerably less. Regardless, everyone should have a long-term care plan in place. Are there ways to prepare for these variable and unpredictable costs?

The good news is that there is long-term care insurance (LTCI), and like any insurance, it’s cheapest to buy when the insured event is more likely further in the future. In other words, buy early.

Traditionally, LTCI was best suited for those with a net worth between $250,000 and $2 million. This group could afford LTCI premiums and had significant assets to protect for their family. Also, they didn’t possess adequate resources to self-insure. For individuals with net worth above $2 million, the general rule was to self-insure. Today, in light of rising long-term care costs and people living longer, this traditional approach to long-term care coverage warrants re-evaluation. In fact, everyone should at least consider LTCI for one or more of the following reasons:

1. To avoid being a burden

None of us want our future health-care needs to create a physical or emotional strain on family members. This is true regardless of net worth. And this emotional side in particular is one of the leading reasons high net-worth individuals consider long-term care insurance.

One way to reduce family “burden,” even the psychological impact, is to have long-term care benefits available. For some, such benefits mean a greater range of options. Families with long-term care coverage tend to seek outside professional help sooner and with less family conflict. In addition, opportunities are enhanced to remain at home with professional in-home care.

According to the American Association of Long-Term Care Insurance, over 50% of long-term care insurance benefits in 2011 were paid for in-home care. Most people prefer to stay in the comfort of their own home as long as possible. LTCI benefits often allow this to happen as professional in-home care can be started sooner and provided at a higher level.

2. To protect family finances

Individuals work a lifetime to accumulate assets. They build a net worth and spend considerable dollars protecting assets against taxes, estate costs and family issues. They plan for a happy and healthy retirement and hope to leave an inheritance to their family. However, many fail to plan for long-term care costs.

Why is this? Some are unsure where to start the process, or hope family members will help when the need arises. Others believe premiums are too cost prohibitive. In 2012, AARP stated, “high premiums keep most people from purchasing insurance. Yet, for those who own long-term care insurance and receive benefits, the policies pay for a significant portion of care received.”

This creates a financial dilemma. People want and need the long-term care benefit, but are unsure if the premiums are worth it, especially if cash flow is tight. Fortunately for high net worth families the cost of premiums is less likely to cause significant burden in their annual cash flow. Premiums may also be partially tax-deductible, which makes the insurance even more cost-effective. For these reasons, long-term care insurance should at least be considered as one part of a comprehensive strategy to protect family assets.

A couple with a net worth of $1 million could spend their life savings very quickly if they have to cover the cost of a severe illness. For example, with one spouse in a long-term care facility for Alzheimer’s and the other living at home, in four to five years the couple could easily deplete their entire savings.

3. To provide liquidity

Some business owners have significant net worth, but minimal liquidity and cash flow. Farmers, for example, may have high land value assets, but the majority of their cash flow goes back into the operation of the farm. Other business owners may hold significant wealth in non-income producing assets, or assets that are difficult to sell due to tax consequences or an illiquid market. In these situations, long-term care insurance can reduce out-of-pocket health care expenses and protect cash reserves for day-to-day living and business costs.

4. To obtain peace of mind

As stated earlier, most people purchase long-term care insurance for emotional reasons. Numbers and dollars are important, but so is peace of mind. With a net worth over $2 million it may be possible to self-insure, but that doesn’t mean these individuals want to self-insure, or that it is the best solution for their situation.

Most affluent clients built their wealth by understanding risks and planning accordingly. They understand the importance of numbers, but also rely on emotional clues and input to make wise choices. This same approach is advisable when considering long-term care insurance. Each individual or family must look at the risks, costs and benefits involved, and then determine if long-term care insurance is a smart way for them to achieve peace of mind.

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Genworth CEO Talks About The Long Term Care ‘Crisis’ In America

There is a price to most things including aging. America is getting older and a new study from Genworth Financial finds most Americans are not financially prepared, especially with rising health care costs for the elderly. The new study finds more than 90 percent of American Adults do not have long term care insurance. Other findings includes 70 percent surveyed believe than the Affordable Care Act will cover their Long Term Care. Department of Health and Human Services projects the population older than 85 will more than double by 2040. Thomas McInerney is the president and CEO of Genworth Financial and spoke to TheStreet’s Susannah Lee on what he calls a ‘Long Term Care Crisis.’

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Worrying Medicare Long Term Care – Common Misconception

Long term care insurance is not generally included under Medicare. Long term care is the care you need when you are no longer able to look after yourself due to age or illness. This video answers that question, which is that without long term care insurance, even if you are in Medicare, you would still need to pay for your custodial care and without sufficient money/ when your savings run out, you will need to apply for Medicaid. Under Medicaid there is little choice where you will be placed, and it will be in a care home most likely. You would not be allowed to stay at home, normally under Medicaid.

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Prepare for Health Care Costs During Retirement

As you save and invest for retirement, what are your ultimate goals? Do you plan on travelling the world?

Purchasing a vacation home? Pursuing your hobbies? People often think and plan for these costs. Yet, too often, many of us overlook what potentially could be a major expense during our retirement years: health care. By preparing for these costs, you can help yourself enjoy the retirement lifestyle you’ve envisioned.

Long-term care costs

Many of us may ignore the impact of health care costs because we just assume provincial healthcare will pay for everything. But that’s not the case. Furthermore, provincial healthcare does not include the costs of long-term care, which vary by individual and can be considerable.

So what can you do to help cope with these costs? Here are a few suggestions:

Estimate your costs Try to estimate what your out-of-pocket health care costs might be, based on your health, your age at retirement, whatever supplemental insurance you may carry and other factors.

Key dates

Know the key dates Things can change in your life, but try to identify, as closely as possible, the age at which you plan to retire. This will help you spot any coverage gaps.

Invest for growth and rising income health care costs typically rise as you move further into retirement, so make sure that a reasonable portion of your assets is allocated to investments with the potential for both growth and rising income.

Review your insurance options The purchase of long-term care insurance may offer flexibility and financial resources to stay in your home rather than living in a long-term care facility should you require round the clock medical care.

Considerations

Alternatively, if you live longer than expected you may need to consider the cost of healthcare at a later age and structure your financial strategy to take those considerations into account.

Annuities are one income generating vehicle to consider for those who are concerned about living longer and having to pay health care costs out of pocket later in life.

Develop a long-term care strategy To meet long-term care costs, you could self-insure or purchase insurance coverage.

To learn about long-term care insurance solutions, contact your financial advisor.

Health care

Think about health care directives. If you were to become incapacitated, you might be unable to make health care decisions — and these decisions may affect not only your quality of life but also your financial situation, and that of your family.

Talk to your legal advisor about establishing a health care directive, which allows you to name someone to make choices on your behalf.

Health care costs during your retirement may be unavoidable. But by anticipating these costs, you can put yourself in a position to deal with them — and that’s a healthy place to be.

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Genworth Launches National Advisory Center for Long Term Care Information

Today, Genworth Financial, Inc announced the launch of its new website www.longtermcareinsurance.org , designed to help fill the information gap for consumers about the reality of long term care and the importance of planning for the future.  The website, named the National Advisory Center for Long Term Care Information (NACLTCI), sponsored by Genworth, is focused on providing clear, concise and unbiased information to consumers faced with making decisions related to long term care.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click:http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7206251-genworth-launches-national-advisory-center-for-long-term-care-information-website

The new website, part of Genworth’s over-arching consumer campaign to educate and advance change in the long term care industry, presents a holistic view of the long term care issue and allows consumers to compare the cost of care, determine care needs and develop a long term care strategy to best suit their circumstances.  From frequently asked questions about long term care and caregiving, to specific checklists that can help families initiate conversations and create a plan, longtermcareinsurance.org guides consumers along every step of the process.  After evaluating their options, if desired, consumers can request a consultation and quote for long term care insurance. The website will not present or discuss Genworth long term care insurance products.

“There isn’t a one-size-fits-all mold when it comes to long term care planning.  We’re dedicated to providing consumers with resources so that they can make the right decisions for their families and loved ones,” said Tom McInerney, CEO of Genworth. “Longtermcareinsurance.org future plans include featuring real stories about the importance of long term care planning that consumers can relate to, as well as expert third-party insight and guidance to allow consumers to make the right financial planning choices.  This is just another way we’re trying to drive change in the long term care space.”

Surprisingly, despite well-known demographic shifts of people working and living longer, many Americans do not recognize the need for a long term care plan.  Seventy percent of Americans turning 65 can expect to need some form of long-term care during their lives.1 However, according to research conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research2, 65 percent of those 40 years or older report having done little or no planning.  Additionally, many Americans 40 or older overestimate the amount that Medicare and Medicaid will help, with 39 percent believing that Medicare should share a large or very large amount of the financial responsibility, and 37 percent believing Medicaid should do the same.

“As a leader in the long term care industry, Genworth embraces its obligation to educate, innovate and bring new solutions to market that meet the long term care needs of Americans,” added John Whitcomb,  senior vice president of thought leadership for the U.S. Life insurance division.  “The National Advisory Center for Long Term Care Information is part of our multi-pronged approach to ensure we are living up to our responsibility to prepare consumers for their future long term care needs.”

Ongoing news, industry updates and guidance on navigating long term care will be available at Longtermcareinsurance.org.  Genworth also provides a host of tools and other resources to help close the financial literacy gap and help Americans properly plan for their financial futures, including:

• Genworth’s Let’s Talk resources offer tips for initiating conversations about retirement and planning for the future with loved ones

• Join Genworth on Facebook for tips, polls and discussions to help you keep all types of financial promises

 

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New Report Shows How Americans Perceive Long-Term Care

A new report about long-term care in the U.S. includes results of 1,419 interviews conducted among a nationally representative sample of Americans aged 40 years and above.

The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research released new report showing how Americans perceive long-term care this month and it is the second study done by the organization about the public views of long-term care.

The first study, which was done in 2013, was conducted in order to gauge what Americans know or do not know about long-term care and their level of preparedness for this possible need.

The organization found that only a handful of Americans are prepared and understand the financial costs and impact of a long-term care event. Also, the group found that majority of Americans who are 40 and older expect that their families will provide assistance as they grow older.

The organization recognized that family members play a vital role in providing long-term care so they conducted a second study to explore the level of influence that the family has over long-term care.

More so, they intended to find who provides and receives care, as well as the effects of caregiving on family relationships and personal experience.

What changed in from 2013 to 2014?

After evaluating the results of the two studies, AP-NORC reports findings that the Americans’ understanding of long-term care, personal experiences with long-term care, perceptions about their own care and their loved one’s care remained relatively constant from last year’s responses.

Meanwhile, the second study found that in 2014, Americans are more supportive of a long-term care program ran by the government, similar to Medicare. Also, respondents say that setting a number of measures will be helpful in measuring the present quality of living assistance.

How much LTC does Family Members Provide?

According to the study, the majority of Americans who are 40 years old and above rely on their families for long-term care. More so, people who receive care are mostly moms. In fact, four in 10 caregivers have provided care to their mothers. This further illustrates the fact that long-term care should be a more pressing concern for women. In fact, most people who experienced long-term care are female, and are part of the baby boomer and low-income groups.

The Effect of Caregiving on Relationships and LTC Preparedness

Participants in the report who are 40 and older reported they are more likely to plan for long-term care if they experienced a long-term care event. They are less likely to expect that they can count on their families for care should they need it.

However, the overall percentage of people who expect that their loved ones will meet a huge part of their LTC needs remain high. 74 percent of those without a long-term care experience and 67 percent of those who have expect their families to take care of them.

Meanwhile, caregivers report that their experience in taking care of a loved one is mostly positive.

However, results show that relationship strain resulting from caregiving is more prevalent among people who end up taking care of their spouses. About 40 percent reported that taking care of their spouse or partner have resulted to financial burden, while more than half admit that it has caused stress in the family.

Of the respondents who expect to be caregivers in the next five years, only 3 in 10 say that they are prepared to take on the job.

The Need to Raise Awareness on LTC

Americans have limited knowledge about ongoing living assistance, the study found. But between information coming from friends and family, and long-term care experts and professionals, they tend to believe information that comes from the latter.

By 2030, the senior population is expected to make up 20 percent of the U.S. That means that there will be about 73 million Americans over the age of 65. Further, it is estimated that seven out of 10 individuals who are 65 and older will need long-term care, while one in four people aged 18 to 64 will also require a form of care service.

The results show more people will be at risk for long-term care as time passes, and this calls for a better strategy in addressing this possible need. One way to begin is to start educating yourself about long-term care and how it can affect your quality of life.

Here in LTC Options, you can learn about these things. Our website and blog offer a huge pool of information about long-term care and how you can prepare for it.

Source:

http://www.ltcoptions.com/new-report-shows-americans-perceive-long-term-care/