“The tax deductibility of tax-qualified long-term care insurance premiums is an incredible benefit potentially for many aging Americans,” states Jesse Slome, director emeritus of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI).

“The 2026 deductible limits are significant and few people, especially small and mid-sized business owners, are aware that premiums paid for long-term care insurance may be tax deductible.”

The just announced 2026 limit for an individual age 70 or more is $6,200, according to AALTCI. This represents a 3 percent increase from the current 2025 limit. “Many policies are purchased by couples which means they could deduct up to $12,400 next year depending on their age,” Slome explains.

Only long-term care policies that meet the federal government’s tax-qualified requirements qualify for a potential tax deduction, the long-term care insurance expert notes. “Most of the linked benefit or hybrid life insurance policies, the ones more popular today do not qualify for a possible tax benefit,” Slome explains.

“Two types of individuals can gain the most benefit from the IRS deductions,” Slome adds. “First business owners, who may be able to deduct the full cost of their insurance protection. They could even benefit by having a paid-in-full policy when they reach retirement age.”

In addition, people who have retired from jobs can benefit. “That’s when income levels enable more people to reach the required health expense threshold to make premiums deductible,” Slome acknowledges. “That potential tax deduction can be a huge benefit after retirement and something seniors should take into consideration when looking into their long-term care protection options.”

2026 Maximum Deduction Limits Long-Term Care Insurance

The following are the new 2026 deductible limits per-individual (2025 limits in brackets):

Attained Age Before Close of Taxable Year     2026 Limit    (2025)
40 or less                                                                     $500        ($480)
More than 40 but not more than 50                      $930        ($900)
More than 50 but not more than 60                   $1,860    ($1,800)
More than 60 but not more than 70                   $4,960    ($4,810)
More than 70                                                            $6,200   ($6,020)

To learn more about long-term care insurance and see a history of tax deductibility limits, go to https://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/learning-center/tax-for-business.php.

The post 2026 Tax Deductible Limits For Long-Term Care Insurance Increase 3 Percent appeared first on American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.

“Tax deductibility of tax-qualified long-term care insurance premiums remains one of the best kept secrets in financial planning,” states Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. “The 2025 deductible limits are significant and few people, especially small and mid-sized business owners, are aware that premiums paid for long-term care insurance may be tax deductible.”

The just announced 2025 limits for an individual age 70 or more is $6,020, according to AALTCI. “Most policies are purchased by couples which means they could deduct up to $12,040 next year depending on their age,” Slome explains.

Only long-term care policies that meet the federal government’s tax-qualified requirements qualify for a potential tax deduction, the long-term care insurance expert notes. “Most of the linked benefit or hybrid life insurance policies, the ones more popular today do not qualify for a possible tax benefit,” Slome notes.

“Two types of individuals can gain the most benefit from the IRS deductions,” Slome adds. “First business owners, who may be able to deduct the full cost of their insurance protection and have a paid-in-full policy when they reach retirement age.”

In addition, people who have retired from jobs can benefit. “That’s when income levels enable more people to reach the required health expense threshold to make premiums deductible,” Slome acknowledges. “That potential tax deduction can be a huge benefit after retirement and something seniors should take into consideration when looking into their long-term care protection options.”

2025 Maximum Deduction Limits Long-Term Care Insurance

The following are the new 2025deductible limits per-individual (2024 limits in brackets):

Attained Age Before Close of Taxable Year     2025 Limit (2024)
40 or less                                                                   $480  ($470)
More than 40 but not more than 50                   $900  ($870)
More than 50 but not more than 60                   $1,800  ($1,7,60)
More than 60 but not more than 70                   $4,810  ($4,710)
More than 70                                                            $6,020  ($5,880)

The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance advocates for the importance of planning and supports insurance and financial professionals who provide long-term care financing solutions.  To see prior year’s long-term care insurance tax deductible limits (https://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/learning-center/tax-for-business.php) or visit the organization’s website (https://www.aaltci.org/tax). Call 818-597-3227 to connect with a long-term care insurance professional who can provide no-obligation quotes for coverage.

The post 2025 Tax Deductible Limits Long-Term Care Insurance appeared first on American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.

An option is what’s called short-term care insurance, now available from a number of companies. “There is currently a significant opportunity for Colorado seniors to get coverage at a significant savings,” explains Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.

Colorado Long-Term Care Plan Savings

A just concluded analysis found that a 70-year-old Colorado woman could buy coverage for less than half of what a 70-year old woman in Chicago would pay.

“Each insurer establishes their pricing and often you can find and take advantage of some significant savings,” Slome explains. The Association was looking into home care benefits. “Most seniors today want the ability to age and ultimately receive care in their own home,” Slome notes. “Indeed most long-term care is provided in the home and that’s where a home care policy can be very beneficial.”

In this particular instance, the Association was looking at a policy that provided $1,050 in weekly home care benefits for a 52 week period. “In Denver, Colorado a 70-year-old woman would pay $519 for $54,600 of potential benefits,” the Association director shares. “In Chicago, a 70-year-old woman would pay $1,133 yearly for identical coverage.”

To learn more about long-term care planning, call the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance at 818-597-3227 or visit the organization’s website at https://www.aaltci.org.

Short-Term Care Insurance (STCI) presents a more affordable alternative to traditional long-term care insurance. For many seniors in Colorado, the cost of long-term care can be prohibitive, with monthly expenses ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 or more. STCI policies typically range from $50 to $200 per month, making them a viable option for those on a tighter budget. Additionally, STCI often has simpler qualification processes compared to long-term care insurance, which may involve extensive medical evaluations.

One significant advantage of STCI is that it usually comes with a 0-day deductible period. This means that benefits kick in immediately upon qualifying for coverage—an essential feature for seniors who may face sudden health issues or accidents requiring immediate assistance. Furthermore, STCI can complement Medicare coverage by providing additional financial support without overlapping restrictions found in traditional long-term care policies.

Many health issues requiring care are often resolved within a year; thus, STCI is tailored to meet these short-term needs effectively. It covers various services such as home health aides and nursing home stays for up to one year, ensuring that seniors receive necessary support during recovery periods without incurring overwhelming expenses.

The post Colorado Long-Term Care Plan Offers Significant Savings appeared first on American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.

Almost half of Medicare beneficiaries have either one or two disabilities. The disability risk among seniors is important information for two reasons. The first is that disabilities are a key risk that aging Americans face resulting in the need for costly care. And second, because once someone has a disability, they generally can not qualify for long-term care insurance.

The latest data is highly relevant and important to share prior to turning 65 recommends the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. Living a long life means the likelihood of needing aide – and that’s where planning is important.

The data reflected seniors 65 and older who had difficulty hearing, seeing, remembering, dressing or bathing. These are Activities of Daily Living used to qualify for benefits under a traditional long-term care insurance policy.

Disability Risk Among Seniors 85-Plus

The risk of disabilities grows as one ages. Research indicates that among those aged 85 and older, approximately 25% have one disability.

Top-10 Disability Risk Among Seniors

The prevalence of disability among older adults is significantly influenced by various health conditions. As individuals age, they become more susceptible to chronic diseases and disabilities that can impact their daily functioning and quality of life. Based on the information provided, the following are the 10 leading causes of disability after age 65:

1. Arthritis or Rheumatism: This condition affects joints and connective tissues, leading to pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility. It is one of the most common causes of disability in older adults.
2. Back or Spine Problems: Issues related to the back and spine, such as degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis, can result in chronic pain and limitations in movement.
3. Heart Trouble: Cardiovascular diseases can lead to significant functional impairments due to heart failure or other heart-related issues.
4. Lung or Respiratory Problems: Conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can severely limit physical activity and overall health.
5. Mental or Emotional Problems: Mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety can affect cognitive function and daily activities.
6. Diabetes: This metabolic disorder can lead to various complications that affect mobility and overall health.
7. Deafness or Hearing Problems: Hearing loss can impact communication abilities and social interactions, contributing to isolation and disability.
8. Blindness or Vision Problems: Visual impairments significantly affect independence and the ability to perform daily tasks safely.
9. Stroke: A stroke can lead to long-term disabilities affecting mobility, speech, and cognitive functions.
10. Cancer: Various types of cancer may cause disabilities either directly through the disease itself or indirectly through treatments that impair physical function.

The post Disability Risk Among Seniors 65-Plus appeared first on American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.

2024 Long-Term Care Insurance Claims Data

A just-published report from the Connecticut Partnership for Long-Term Care Insurance can provide some valuable insights explains Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.

“Thankfully Connecticut remains the only state that publishes current and highly relevant data regarding long-term care insurance,” declares Jesse Slome, AALTCI director. “Information is essential to educating people about the value of this protection and reasons to consider it as part of their longevity planning. And 2024 long term care insurance claims data is unbelievably helpful to those marketing this valuable protection.”

According to Slome, the data looked at some 37,201 policies in force. “For me, the key data I look for is claimant data,” Slome explains. “People want to know if owning long-term care insurance pays. By pays, they mean, do insurers pay benefits, at what ages and how much?”

“Of the 6,878 total claimants, 60 percent represented care by a home health aide or a home visit by skilled nursing,” Slome points out. “Only 34 percent of claims were for nursing home and 29 percent for assisted living. I like to share with reporters and consumers that this is really nursing home avoidance protection and the numbers validate that.”

2024 Claims Data

Number of Policyholders who have qualified to receive benefit payments: 6,878

Gender of Claimant:  59% Female – 41 % Male

Marital Status:  51% Married – 41% Not Married – 8% Unknown

Average Age at Policy Purchase:  64

Age at Time of Claim:  Mean: 81     (Range 31  to 103)

Amount Paid To Date: Least ($19) – Most ($2,647,545)

Type of Service (top categories only)
Home Health Aide – 53%
Nursing Home – 27%
Assisted Living Facility – 29%
Skilled Nursing (Home Visit) 7%

Data from CT Partnership for Long-Term Care statistical report published September 16, 2024.

The post Latest Data for 2024 Long Term Care Insurance Claims appeared first on American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.

“Women are more likely to need long-term care because they generally live longer lives,” explains Jesse Slome, AALTCI’s director. “Among women, 61% are likely to develop a chronic disability often simply due to living a long life.”

The Association director was sharing data about long-term care need and length of paid long-term care services with senior specialists who help educate consumers about the risk and need.

“Some 51 percent of women age 65 and over will need paid long-term care before they die,” Slome shared. “Meanwhile only 39 percent of men age 65 or older will need such care.”

Married people are less likely to need paid long-term care services Slome reported. “Again, it’s 51 percent of unmarried people over age 65 who will require paid long-term care in their lifetime,” Slome shared. “Whereas it’s only 43 percent for married people, part of which is likely that the healthier spouse becomes the caregiver.”

The long-term care insurance expert and advocate noted that long-term care insurance planning was off the radar during the pandemic. “We have a new generation of men and women entering the long-term care planning sweet spot. “They need information including facts and figures to understand the potential future financial risk they face,” Slome added.

To read the latest long-term care need data go to https://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-need/.

The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI) https://www.aaltci.org advocates for the importance of planning and supports insurance professionals who market both traditional and hybrid LTC solutions. Access comprehensive long-term care insurance statistics and data at https://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/learning-center/ltcfacts-2024.php.

The post Women Are More Likely To Need Paid Long-Term Care Services appeared first on American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.

“Washington’s long-term care insurance program (Washington Cares) started taxing workers this July,” explains Jesse Slome, AALTCI’s director. “This November, Washington voters are being given the choice to make the program optional and early polling shows that’s very likely to happen.”

A Cascade PBS/Elway poll conducted last month found that 47 percent of respondents would vote to repeal the program (or make it optional). “Making the Washington CARES program option basically will kill the effort as it won’t be financially viable,” Slome explains. “I’d worry that only 25 percent of those polled indicated they’d keep the program.”

Slome noted that educating the undecided will be critical to the outcome. Some 28 percent of respondents were undecided on how they would vote.

“If you are a 30-year-old healthy employee earning $150,000, voting to make the program optional adds $870 back to your annual income,” states Slome. “It would be interesting to hear what motivated one-in-four polled individuals to keep the program in place. Specifically, what messaging motivated those who are being taxed for the future benefit.”

Further data on poll participants revealed that one-in-four were age 65 or older. “These individuals likely have no financial incentive to make the program optional,” Slome admits. “Likewise, they wouldn’t benefit. But it’s commonly known that seniors vote so how this block votes could be quite significant in the outcome.” Access the full poll data here.

The long-term care insurance professional noted this would not be the first time that a long-term care insurance program was approved only to be subsequently ended. “When the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed and signed into law, it contained a national long-term care program called the CLASS Act,” Slome adds. “Suddenly one night, the administration closed the doors and subsequently the program was repealed.”

If long-term care specialists believe in the program’s value, they need to advocate on its behalf before election day. “Tell the organizations involved in legislative matters that you care about this program,” Slome advises. “Tell the insurance companies you work with so that they can work together with those supporting the program.”

“The outcome in Washington will likely impact other states considering long-term care initiatives,” Slome predicts. “Politicians carefully watch voter sentiment and if this can’t withstand resistance in a state with no state income tax, what will be its future in highly taxed states like California and New York?”

The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI) https://www.aaltci.org advocates for the importance of planning and supports insurance professionals who market both traditional and hybrid LTC solutions. Access the latest long-term care insurance statistics at https://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/learning-center/ltcfacts-2024.php.

The post Washington Cares Act: Will LTC Insurance Program Survive appeared first on American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.

“If you live a long life the chances are very high that you’ll eventually require care,” explains Jesse Slome, director of the long-term care insurance organization. ”When long-term care services are needed most people depend on family members or loved ones, while others have to pay from their retirement savings or income. A small percentage of people today have purchased long-term care insurance to pay for their care.”

Long-term care insurance policies were first introduced in the 1980s and now protect several million aging Americans’ “You must secure this insurance protection when you are still able to health qualify,” stresses Slome. The ideal time to apply is between ages 55 and 65, the long-term care insurance expert points out.

“You are buying protection for your future,” Slome explains. “While some people start using their policy benefits relatively soon after buying, typically as a result of an accident or illness, most won’t qualify for policy benefits for a number of years.”

According to data just released by the Association, just over a quarter (27%) of new long-term care insurance claims begin when policyholders are between ages 80 and 84. For the first time, the organization was able to compare data for traditional long-term care insurance as well as linked-benefit long-term care. The latter typically consists of life insurance or annuities that can also provide a long-term care benefit.

“Each year the nation’s long-term care insurance companies pay out billions in benefits to seniors with this valuable coverage,” adds Craig Matesky, President and CEO of ACACIA Insurance Services. “Today, there are multiple long-term care insurance options that are affordable and more important will cover you for home care, assisted living, nursing home or memory care.”

Access the latest 2024 long-term care insurance statistics and data on the Association’s website at https://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/learning-center/ltcfacts-2024.php.

The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI) advocates for the importance of planning and supports insurance professionals who market both traditional and hybrid LTC solutions. Jesse Slome is director and also directs the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance.

The post New Report Reveals Ages When Claims Begin For Long-Term Care Insurance appeared first on American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.

“Mutual of Omaha, Northwestern Mutual and New York Life all reported more covered lives than a decade ago,” shares Jesse Slome, director of the long-term care insurance organization. “Unfortunately, companies that were once leaders in the industry have long ceased offering new policies and, as a result, their lives in force have decreased over the same period.”

According to Slome and analysis reported in 2023, Mutual of Omaha and Northwestern Mutual both had 100,000 additional covered lives compared to what they reported in 2013. The largest company in terms of covered long-term care insurance lives, Genworth a top long-term care insurance provider, reported about 200,000 fewer lives in force for the same period.

“It is important for consumers as well as insurance professionals to understand that even when a company ceases offering new policies, existing policies stay on the books and are serviced when claims are filed,” Slome adds. “The past decade has definitely been difficult for some insurers offering traditional long-term care insurance. But, it is important to recognize that some insurers have reported growth.”

For example, Slome notes that Mutual of Omaha which had 110,664 lives in force as reported in 2013, reported 212,213 lives a decade later. “Some may view this as slow growth but it’s quite the contrary,” Slome explains. “While long-term care planning is something every aging American should undertake, long-term care insurance is a viable option for a specific and rather small segment of the overall population.”

Top Long-Term Care Insurance Companies Report – See Complete Data

Access the complete data regarding leading long-term care insurers lives in force at https://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/learning-center/ltcfacts-2024.php#LongTermCareInsurers-Lives.

The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI) advocates for the importance of planning and supports insurance professionals who market both traditional and hybrid LTC solutions. Access the latest long-term care insurance statistics at https://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/learning-center/ltcfacts-2024.php.

The post Three Top Long-Term Care Insurance Companies Grew Over Past Decade appeared first on American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.

A 65-year-old female seeking $55,000 of home care benefits would pay $65 in monthly premiums according to the 2024 Short-Term Care Insurance Price Index released today by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.

“Short-term care insurance is an increasingly viable option for many seniors,” states Jesse Slome, director of the long-term care insurance organization. ”The better policies available offer benefits for home care as well as skilled nursing home care. Available in many states, these policies can be very attractive for seniors, especially women.”

According to Slome, short-term care insurance policies can be especially attractive to older individuals, to those with some existing health conditions and to those who find traditional long-term care insurance too costly.

“A real overlooked benefit is the fact that these policies generally charge women and men the same amount for equal coverage,” Slome explains. “With traditional long-term care insurance, women can pay 40 percent t more than men for equal coverage because their risk of needing care and use of insurance is so much greater. The equal cost is a significant advantage that should not be overlooked by the many older women who are living alone.”

According to the 2024 Short-Term Care Insurance Price Index, a 65-year-old woman could pay $125 monthly for coverage including both nursing home as well as home care benefits. Identical coverage purchased at age 75 would currently cost $277-per-month.

Access the complete 2024 Short-Term Care Insurance Price Index at https://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/learning-center/ltcfacts-2024.php#2024short-term.

The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI) advocates for the importance of planning and supports insurance professionals who market both traditional and hybrid LTC solutions. Access the latest long-term care insurance statistics at https://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/learning-center/ltcfacts-2024.php.

The post 2024 Short-Term Care Insurance Price Index Released appeared first on American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.