Not All Hybrid-Combination Life And Long Term Care Insurance Policies Are The Same – Long Term Care University
Long Term Care University – Question of the Month – 04/15/19
By Aaron Skloff, AIF, CFA, MBA
Q: We read the Long Term Care University article that compares Traditional to Combination Life and Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance and prefer the Hybrid-Combination LTC policy. Are all Hybrid-Combination LTC policies the same?
Overview. Hybrid-Combination LTC policies provide guaranteed benefits and guaranteed premiums. The insurance company either: 1) pays you if you need LTC, 2) pays your heirs if you do not need LTC, 3) pays you and your heirs if you need a modest amount of LTC or 4) pays you a refund if you cancel the policy.
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The Problem – Not All Hybrid-Combination Life and Long Term Care Insurance Policies are the Same
There are a range of Hybrid-Combination LTC policies. With some policies your premiums are primarily paying for long term care benefits. With others you are primarily paying for life insurance. You can determine which type of policy you are purchasing based on the ratio of LTC to Life (long term care benefits divided by life insurance benefits). The higher the ratio, the more LTC benefits versus life insurance the policy provides. It is important to understand what your primary goal is, so you purchase the correct policy design.
Let’s look at a husband and wife, Bill and Sue, who are each 55 years old and reside in New Jersey. They each pay a $100,000 one-time premium (or $200,000 combined) and are expected to need LTC in 25 years at the age of 80. Their primary goal is to purchase a Hybrid-Combination LTC policy with very strong LTC benefits and secondarily a life insurance benefit if they do not need care. We review numerous designs based on age 80. The designs focused on LTC benefits are highlighted in blue in the chart below.
Most LTC, Least Life. Bill and Sue will each have $10,892 monthly and unlimited total LTC benefits or a $178,633 2nd to die life insurance benefit. As indicated by the unlimited ratio of LTC to life insurance, this design is primarily focused on LTC benefits.
High LTC, High Life. Bill and Sue will each have $10,763 monthly and unlimited total LTC benefits or a $358,770 2nd to die life insurance benefit. As indicated by the unlimited ratio of LTC to life insurance, this design is primarily focused on LTC benefits.
High LTC, Low Life. Bill will have $13,404 monthly and $1,094,093 total LTC benefits or a $100,00 life insurance benefit. Sue will have $11,301 monthly and $877,225 total LTC benefits or a $129,543 life insurance benefit. As indicated by Bill’s 10.9 and Sue’s 6.8 ratio of LTC to life insurance, this design is primarily focused on LTC benefits.
Most Life, Least LTC. Bill will have $3,904 monthly and $195,200 total LTC benefits or a $195,200 life insurance benefit. Sue will have $4,566 monthly and $228,290 total LTC benefits or a $228,290 life insurance benefit. As indicated by Bill’s 1.0 and Sue’s 1.0 ratio of LTC to life insurance, this design is primarily focused on life insurance benefits.
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The Solution – Purchase a Hybrid-Combination Life and Long Term Care Insurance Policy That Meets Your Primary Goal
As highlighted in blue above, Bill and Sue have three solutions that meet their primary goal of very strong LTC benefits and a life insurance benefit if they do not need care. The ratio of LTC benefits to life insurance benefits provides you a clear indication of what you are purchasing and what value are receiving. Thus, allowing you to purchase a policy that meets your primary goal.
Action Steps. Not all Hybrid-Combination LTC policies are the same. Some are focused on LTC, some are focused on life and some are more balanced between both. Since premiums vary greatly based on age, health and marital status, request individualized quotes.
Aaron Skloff, Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder, Master of Business Administration (MBA), is the Chief Executive Officer of Skloff Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisory firm. The firm specializes in financial planning and investment management services for high net worth individuals and benefits for small to middle sized companies. He can be contacted at www.skloff.com or 908-464-3060.
