Long-Term Care
One Health Event Shouldn't Erase Everything.
70% of retirees will need long-term care. At over $108,000 per year, even a three-year care event can wipe out a lifetime of savings. Long-term care coverage is the asset shield inside the Three-Legged Stool.
70%
of retirees will need some form of long-term care
$108K
average annual cost of a private nursing home room
3+ yrs
average length of a long-term care stay
$0
Medicare covers for ongoing custodial care
Plain English
What is long-term care insurance?
Long-term care insurance pays for the cost of care when you can no longer perform basic daily activities on your own — bathing, dressing, eating, getting around — or when cognitive decline like dementia requires supervision.
Critically, this is not what Medicare covers. Medicare covers short-term skilled nursing care after a hospital stay. The ongoing, personal care that most retirees actually need — custodial care — is entirely your expense unless you have a policy in place.
At Assure Avenue, we typically recommend hybrid LTC policies that combine long-term care benefits with a life insurance or annuity component — so your premium is never wasted, no matter what happens.
Standalone LTC Policy
Traditional- Dedicated long-term care coverage
- Higher benefit amounts available
- Premiums can increase over time
- If never used, premiums are not returned
Best for: Those who want maximum LTC coverage and can absorb premium risk
Hybrid LTC Policy
Recommended- LTC coverage + life insurance in one policy
- Guaranteed premiums — no rate increases
- If care isn't needed, death benefit goes to heirs
- Single premium or limited-pay options available
Best for: Most clients — you get LTC protection without the "use it or lose it" risk
Part of the Three-Legged Stool
This is Leg Two.
Long-term care protection is the asset shield of your retirement strategy. Leg One gives you income. Leg Two ensures a health event doesn't drain the assets that create that income. Without this leg, one extended illness can collapse everything you've built.
If you need LTC, will your home still be an asset? Protect the Foundation →
Is This Right for You?
LTC coverage might be the right fit if...
You have savings worth protecting
You've spent decades accumulating assets. One extended care event at $108,000/year can erase 20+ years of savings in 3–5 years. A policy protects what you built.
You want to stay in your home
Most people want to receive care at home — not in a facility. LTC coverage funds in-home care, giving you the choice instead of forcing a nursing home decision.
You don't want to burden your family
Without a plan, the burden of caregiving falls on a spouse or adult children — financially, physically, and emotionally. A policy removes that pressure entirely.
Common Questions
Long-Term Care FAQ
Protect what you've built before you need to.
The best time to get LTC coverage is when you're healthy enough to qualify and young enough for affordable premiums. A free strategy session will show you exactly what a hybrid policy could cost and cover for your specific situation.
Insurance products offered through licensed agents. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.