As we age it becomes more and more important to be sure we've adquately planned for retirement. One of the most difficult aspects to plan for is health care. With rising prices, and increased longevity, there's no telling the kind of care we might need. However, as with the rest of life, those that plan, will have options. Those that don't plan will get what's left over.
Basically, when we turn 65, there is a 60% chance that, at some point in our life, we will need some type and amount of long term care. So NOT planning for something with such a high probability of occurring (and the chance of it being financially catastrophic) is foolish; we would never take that kind of chance with our car insurance, home insurance or similar.
And even younger people need long term care; at present (again a prevalence figure not incidence), of the more than 13 million Americans receiving long term care in all settings, about 40% of them are working age adults 18-64 years old.
When you're working with clients from the Baby Boomer, Silent or G.I. generations, it's not a bad topic to talk with them about. As they liquidate the assets from their home, do they have a plan in place to invest those assets? Differentiate yourself by referring them to a financial planner, and giving them information about long term care insurance.
Long Term Care Insurance is NOT nursing home insurance. In fact, long term care insurance will provide options for you and your clients to have OTHER health care BEFORE considering out-of-home kinds of long term care.
There's a booklet, "Own Your Future" published by the Department of Health and Human Services that is a great introduction to long term care insurance. Order it in bulk and make it available to your clients!
For more information about aging issues visit www.RealSageAdvice.com
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