03/28/2023
Addressing long term care costs in retirement may be more affordable than you think.
Long term care cost in retirement: It may be more affordable than you think.
Chances are either you or someone you know has dealt with a loved ones long term care health issues. Not having a plan on dealing with this cost can easily ruin one's retirement, both financially as well as emotionally. Some like my wife’s grandmother would have been devastated to know that her hard earned savings that she saved for her kids and grandkids ended up being absorbed by the nursing home instead of going to her family as she intended.
Not knowing how to pay for the possibility of this inevitable event can be daunting to the retiree as well as their loved ones. Imagine having to take out a new mortgage on your home that you were so proud to pay off just as you retired. Some are forced out of retirement or unable to retire trying to fund this late in life. Others like my father and father in-law are forced into retirement due to a long term care event. Now what?
Do YOU have a plan?
Here are a few things to consider. The government through the Medicaid program will ultimately pay this cost for most Americans in the late stages of their life. I say most because most Americans are living solely on their social security income. But what about those savers? Like you? If you have been a diligent saver through your working years? Unfortunately you won’t qualify for help unless you are down to your last few dollars. Some try to move money to their loved ones to be able to qualify for this benefit but Uncle Sam got hip to this and now there is a 5 year look back. Meaning you would have had to shift those funds away from your portfolio at least 5 years prior to the LTC event. For a deeper dive into that strategy please consult a reputable estate planner.
Otherwise the best way to address this ahead of time is through the purchase of an LTC (long term care) plan or some alternative plan that can fund such cost preferably with LEVERAGE.
Leverage means getting a dollar benefit amount for a fraction of the cost. As opposed to a dollar for dollar cost from one’s savings or cash equivalent account. A simple example would be to get $3 in benefit for a dollar spent. LEVERAGE is a multiplier of your dollars. Get the most out of the little that you have to spend towards this cost by learning which plan works best for your situation.
To learn more on what strategy works best for your situation. Click the calendar link below to book a time, message us or call us at (504) 338-3668.
https://calendly.com/safefinancial/15min
