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Hybrid (or "linked-benefit", "combo" or "asset-based") LTC insurance options are exploding in the marketplace, and they are NOT all created equal. Are "hybrid" LTC policies with a death benefit really a better deal? You'll be surprised at what our analysis shows, and why you need to make sure you know ALL your options before you buy LTC insurance.
The new Comfort LTC Hybrid LTCI Information Center will provide clear explanations of the many different types of plans along with detailed case study analysis to provide real-world examples and comparisons. CLICK HERE
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Age at end of 2020 |
Maximum Deductible Premium |
40 or less |
$ 430 |
41 to 50 |
$ 810 |
51 to 60 |
$ 1,630 |
61 to 70 |
$ 4,350 |
71 and older |
$ 5,430 |
NOTE that most taxpayers will not be able to realize any deduction as you must first be able to itemize deductions on Schedule A, have total un-reimbursed medical expenses including the LTC Eligible Premium that exceed 10% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), and only the amount above the 10% threshold is deductible.
HOWEVER, if you have funds in a Health Savings Account (HSA) - or an employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) - you CAN use those tax-free dollars to pay tax-qualified LTC insurance premiums up to the age-based, Eligible Premium amount shown above.
BUSINESS OWNERS (and spouses) get to take the age-based, Eligible Premium deduction "above-the-line" on page one of Form 1040 as part of the "Self Employed Health Insurance Deduction" (Line 29). This applies to owners of business incorporated or taxes as: Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, or S-Corporations. (Shareholder/Employees of a "regular" C-Corporation can have the entire premium deducted - without limit - if paid as an employee benefit by the corporation.)
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BUSINESS DEDUCTIONS FOR LTCI.
HOWEVER, if you have funds in a Health Savings Account (HSA) - or an employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) - you CAN use those tax-free dollars to pay tax-qualified LTC insurance premiums up to the age-based, Eligible Premium amount shown above.
BUSINESS OWNERS (and spouses) get to take the age-based, Eligible Premium deduction "above-the-line" on page one of Form 1040 as part of the "Self Employed Health Insurance Deduction" (Line 29). This applies to owners of business incorporated or taxes as: Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, or S-Corporations. (Shareholder/Employees of a "regular" C-Corporation can have the entire premium deducted - without limit - if paid as an employee benefit by the corporation.)
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BUSINESS DEDUCTIONS FOR LTCI.
* The tax information presented here is for general information only and should not be used nor relied upon as specific tax advice. Taxpayers should consult with their CPA or qualified tax professional for advice regarding their own tax situation and the tax status of LTC premiums and benefits.
For a quick look at average/sample rates for LTC insurance see our new information page by clicking the button below!
The state of Washington has passed the first of its kind government-run LTC insurance program for working residents of the state.
The plan will provide $100 per day of benefits which will increase with inflation for a maximum of 365 days (1-year). Each day of benefits is considered a "unit" of coverage and units can be combined to pay for care services above $100/day, but that would also shorten the total benefit period. The benefit can be used to pay family members to provide care after they have completed a minimum amount of mandatory training.
Every employee in the state will have a payroll tax withholding to pay for the plan. The tax is 0.58%, or $0.58 for every $100 in payroll income. A person earning $4,000 per month would pay $23.20 per month.
The plan will provide $100 per day of benefits which will increase with inflation for a maximum of 365 days (1-year). Each day of benefits is considered a "unit" of coverage and units can be combined to pay for care services above $100/day, but that would also shorten the total benefit period. The benefit can be used to pay family members to provide care after they have completed a minimum amount of mandatory training.
Every employee in the state will have a payroll tax withholding to pay for the plan. The tax is 0.58%, or $0.58 for every $100 in payroll income. A person earning $4,000 per month would pay $23.20 per month.
The plan does not cover people already retired or who will retire in the next 6 to 10 years. It also is not portable if an employee leaves the state of Washington.
Payroll deductions will not begin for 3 years, and no benefits will be paid for at least 3 years after that as the plan requires that employees pay in for a minimum of 3 of the previous 6 years to be eligible. To be fully "vested" in the plan an employee must pay in for at least 10 years.
"Self employed" people will not be automatically covered, but can opt-into the plan at the same payroll tax rate.
Employees who have private LTC insurance can opt-out of the tax and coverage.
Payroll deductions will not begin for 3 years, and no benefits will be paid for at least 3 years after that as the plan requires that employees pay in for a minimum of 3 of the previous 6 years to be eligible. To be fully "vested" in the plan an employee must pay in for at least 10 years.
"Self employed" people will not be automatically covered, but can opt-into the plan at the same payroll tax rate.
Employees who have private LTC insurance can opt-out of the tax and coverage.
Comfort LTC owner, Bill Comfort, is featured on a new website for insurance agents and financial advisors seeking to learn more about LTC insurance and other care-planning options.
Licensed agents and advisors can access the new NAIFA Center for Limited and Extended Care Funding at: https://naifa.lifehappenspro.org
Licensed agents and advisors can access the new NAIFA Center for Limited and Extended Care Funding at: https://naifa.lifehappenspro.org
Watch Bill's video promoting the CLTC designation training program here:
Good advice from Kaiser Health News: Hold off on genetic testing until AFTER you buy LTC insurance (or life or disability). You must disclose the existence of the testing and any known results on an application and results can be used to deny or limit coverage.
Looking forward, LTC insurance is more secure and reliable than ever.
CLICK HERE to read my new article on why LTC insurance remains a valuable insurance product with a future that should be much more stable than in the past.
Here is a link to an excellent article from Forbes.com that provides valuable, even critical, context to any discussion of long-term care planning and funding your plan with LTC insurance.
In many ways a recent Wall Street Journal article simply re-packages old news in a new emotional wrapper since LTC insurance rate increases have been under way across the industry for more than 10 years. It also gets a couple of very important things wrong - including the fact that there are many options for dealing with a rate increase other than just walking away from the coverage.
In many ways a recent Wall Street Journal article simply re-packages old news in a new emotional wrapper since LTC insurance rate increases have been under way across the industry for more than 10 years. It also gets a couple of very important things wrong - including the fact that there are many options for dealing with a rate increase other than just walking away from the coverage.
"The WSJ piece essentially falls into the 'bad news sells' category of reporting ... Its “Woe is me!” theme actually pushes people away from doing quality long-term care planning. Instead of lamenting past missteps, the article could have emphasized some of the new techniques for building effective and sustainable solutions to the budding long-term care crisis."
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