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Managing Potential Premium Increases in Long-Term Care Insurance

Buying long-term care insurance requires not only selecting the right policy but also understanding the financial budgeting intricacies that come with it. One of 16 crucial aspect one must consider is the potential for premium increases policies may experience. From a financial planning and budgeting perspective, understanding what causes premiums to fluctuate and by how much is just good intel to know.

In this article, I am going to help you understand the stability of premiums in traditional, life hybrid, and annuity hybrid long-term care policies, shedding light on the factors influencing premium changes and exploring the choices available to policy owners should the cost of maintaining their policy become challenging.

premium increases with long-term care insurance

Traditional Long-Term Care Policies

Traditional, or ‘stand-alone’ long-term care insurance is pure insurance covering the risk of needing long-term care services.  In this section, I am going to talk about “guaranteed renewability”, which are what all traditional long-term care insurance policies carry to give policyowners peace of mind over having their coverage cancelled one day.  This arrangement doesn’t mean premiums can’t increase though! Therefore, I will explain the mechanics behind potential premium increases and explain factors that can cause your premiums to increase as you own coverage. 

Understanding Guaranteed Renewability in Traditional Long-Term Care Policies

Defining Guaranteed Renewability

In the realm of traditional long-term care insurance, “guaranteed renewability” is a pivotal term that policyholders must comprehend. This feature ensures that as long as premiums are paid, the insurer cannot cancel the policy, providing a sense of security to the policy owner. However, it’s essential to distinguish this from “non-cancelable” policies, a term not applicable to long-term care insurance. Unlike guaranteed renewable policies, non-cancelable policies would mean that premiums could never increase, a feature not found in long-term care insurance due to the unpredictable nature of future care costs.

It’s also worth noting the existence of “conditionally renewable” policies in other insurance domains, where renewal is subject to certain conditions. Fortunately, traditional long-term care policies offer the more favorable “guaranteed renewable” feature, ensuring continued coverage without the fear of cancellation.

Navigating Premium Increases in Long-Term Care Insurance

How Premiums Can Increase Over Time

While guaranteed renewability secures your policy against cancellation, it does not shield you from potential premium increases. Insurance companies may adjust premiums based on overall claims experience, inflation, and other factors affecting the cost of providing care. It’s crucial for policyholders to understand that these increases are not arbitrary but are subject to regulatory oversight.

Chart: Maximum Increase Percentage by Age

To illustrate the potential for premium increases, consider the following chart, which shows the maximum increase percentage determined by the age the policy was purchased:

Age at PurchaseMaximum Increase Percentage
40150%
50110%
6070%
7040%

Please understand, this is not a comprehensive list of potential increases. It is based on Florida’s LTC guide and I share this to highlight the potential increase policy owners may face and want to plan for. You can see the younger you are when you purchase a policy, the more the premium could increase with traditional long-term care insurance. The potential for premium increases diminishes with age. To know what the actual percentages are in your state, you can look it up on your state’s department of financial services website or we will share this information with your before you apply for coverage. 

Factors Influencing Long-Term Care Insurance Premium Increases

Causes of Premium Increases

When you purchase long-term care insurance, the amount of benefits are pre-set. More benefits equals more premium. There are a couple reasons insurance companies can increase your premium after years of owning coverage without a claim. These are:

  • Higher Claims Experience: Insurance companies price long-term care premiums based on assumptions based on past claims experience. If the actual claims they experience are higher than those assumptions, they can ask state insurance commissions for permission to raise rates on existing business.
  • Increased Longevity: Longer life expectancies can lead to both more claims and extended periods of care, increasing the insurer’s liability.
  • Low Interest Rates: Insurers invest premiums to generate income. When interest rates are lower than what they assumed when the policy was issued, investment returns decrease and, potentially leading to a request to raise premiums on current business.

State Regulations and Maximum Allowable Increases

Insurance companies must request premium increases from state insurance regulators. Each state has its guidelines for acceptable increases, ensuring that policyholders are protected from excessive rate hikes. Typically, insurers must demonstrate a need for the increase based on actuarial data and receive approval from the state insurance department.

Policyholder Options in Case of Premium Increases

Reducing Benefits and Other Strategies

If premiums become burdensome, policyholders have options to manage the costs while maintaining some level of coverage. These include:

  • Reducing the Daily Benefit Amount: Lowering the daily coverage amount can help reduce premiums.
  • Increasing the Elimination Period: Opting for a longer waiting period before benefits kick in can also lower costs.
  • Converting to a Paid-up Policy: Policies today have “non-forfeiture” benefits which allow a policyholders to convert their coverage to a paid-up policy with reduced benefits, eliminating future premium payments. This ensures they get benefits for the amount of premiums they paid.

The Role of Deductibility in Offsetting Premium Increases

As policyholders age, the IRS allows for a greater portion of long-term care insurance premiums to be deducted as a medical expense, helping to offset the impact of premium increases. For example, individuals aged 60-70 can deduct a higher percentage of their premiums compared to those aged 50-60. This tax advantage can provide some financial relief potetially  premiums rise.

In conclusion, while traditional long-term care policies offer the security of guaranteed renewability, it’s essential to understand the dynamics of premium increases and the options available to manage them. By being informed and proactive, policyholders can ensure that their coverage remains both affordable and adequate to meet their long-term care needs. You can learn more about premium deductibility by clicking here…150

Life Hybrid Long-Term Care Policies

Life hybrid long-term care policies offer a combination of life insurance and long-term care coverage, providing a comprehensive solution for financial planning. These policies are designed to accumulate cash value over time, which can be utilized for long-term care benefits if needed. The unique structure of these policies allows policyholders to potentially access long-term care benefits that exceed the amount they could have saved independently, making them an attractive option for those planning for future care needs.

Scheduled Premiums in Life Hybrid Policies

Overview of Premium Scheduling

Premium scheduling in life hybrid policies is typically fixed, offering policyholders predictability in their financial planning. These policies may require single, limited, or level premium payments, depending on the policy type and insurer. This structured approach to premiums ensures that policyholders can plan their expenses with clarity and confidence.

Whole Life vs. Universal Life in Long-Term Care Insurance

Guarantees in Whole Life Policies

Whole life policies within the life hybrid category offer guaranteed death benefits, cash value growth, and level premiums. These guarantees provide policyholders with a stable foundation for their long-term care planning, ensuring that funds will be available when needed.

Flexibility of Universal Life Policies

Universal life policies are known for their flexibility, allowing policyholders to adjust premiums and death benefits to suit their changing needs. The cash value in these policies grows based on the performance of underlying investments. For ‘fixed’ products, the cash value is credited based on what the insurance company is able to earn. For ‘variable’ contracts, the policy owner is able to choose their own investments from a selection of “mutual fund like” accounts. This offering is more risky but provides the potential for higher returns of the policy’s cash value. 

Universal life insurance is structured as “one year term insurance combined with cash value,” meaning that the cost of the term insurance portion automatically increases as the insured ages. However, as long as sufficient funds are available within the policy, either from additional paid premiums or accumulated cash value, the policy will remain active. This flexibility, however, comes with the caveat that, unlike whole life insurance, the internal costs of a universal life policy can be changed by the insurance company with approval from the state insurance department. 

I understand this is a little complicated and it is easier to explain when talking one on one.

Impact of Premium Structure on Long-Term Care Benefits

Comparing Whole Life and Universal Life

The premium structure of life hybrid policies directly influences the long-term care benefits available to policyholders. In whole life policies, the guarantees provide a predictable premium that won’t change, while in universal life policies, the flexibility allows for adaptation to changing circumstances. However, policyholders must carefully manage their premiums and investment choices in universal life policies to ensure that the policy will stay active so sufficient long-term care benefits will be available.

Annuity Hybrid Long-Term Care Policies

Annuity hybrid long-term care policies offer a unique approach to long-term care planning, combining the features of an annuity with long-term care coverage. These policies are designed to provide policyholders with flexibility and security, ensuring that they have the necessary funds for long-term care when needed.

Single Premium Requirement in Annuity Hybrid Policies

Explanation of the Single Premium Model

Annuity hybrid policies typically require a single premium payment, which fully funds the policy. This one-time payment approach simplifies the premium structure, making it easier for policyholders to manage their finances. The single premium model also eliminates the risk of future premium increases, providing policyholders with peace of mind and financial stability.

Understanding the Payout Structure of Annuity Hybrid Policies

Translating Single Premium into Long-Term Care Benefits

The payout structure of annuity hybrid policies is designed to provide long-term care benefits in addition to the traditional annuity income. When a policyholder requires long-term care, the policy can provide an additional stream of income or a lump-sum payment to cover the long-term care expenses. The amount of long-term care benefits available is typically based on the initial single premium and the terms of the policy.

One key advantage of annuity hybrid policies is that if the long-term care benefits are not fully utilized, the remaining value of the annuity can be paid out as a death benefit to the beneficiaries. However, if income and long-term care benefits completely deplete the value of the annuity, the contract will continue paying benefits for as long as the insured is alive! This ensures that the policyholder’s investment is not wasted and provides additional financial security for the policy owner and their loved ones.

Annuity hybrid long-term care policies offer a straightforward and secure approach to long-term care planning. With a single premium payment and a clear payout structure, these policies provide policyholders with life-time income, additional long-term care benefits and the potential for a death benefit, without the need to be medically underwritten, making them an attractive option for those seeking comprehensive financial protection.

Conclusion

Key Takeaways on Long-Term Care Insurance Premium Stability

Each type of policy offers its own approach to premium structure, benefits, and flexibility. Traditional policies provide guaranteed renewability, while life hybrid policies offer a blend of life insurance and long-term care benefits, with the choice between the guarantees of whole life and the flexibility of universal life. Annuity hybrid policies simplify the premium structure with a single premium requirement, providing a straightforward approach to long-term care coverage.

The Importance of Understanding Premium Changes in Financial Planning

Understanding the potential for premium changes and the different premium structures available in long-term care insurance is crucial for effective financial planning. Being informed about these aspects allows individuals to make decisions that align with their financial goals and ensure that they have the necessary coverage for their long-term care needs. By considering the factors that influence premium stability and the options available in each type of policy, policyholders can navigate the complexities of long-term care insurance with confidence.

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The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as financial, investment, or legal advice. Kevin Wenke, CFP, CLU, and his companies, Decision Tree Financial and Decision Tree Investment Advisors LLC, do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information presented. No client-advisor relationship is established by the use of this website or interaction with its content.

All investments carry risk, including the potential loss of principal, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Decision Tree Investment Advisors LLC is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm and complies with all applicable laws and regulations. Kevin Wenke is also an insurance agent and may sell insurance products.

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For personalized financial advice, please contact Kevin Wenke or Decision Tree Financial directly.

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