Depending on who you ask, you may get a different response on when to buy Long Term Care Insurance. As long term care specialists and planners, we help individuals decide the best time to buy Long Term Care Insurance based on their health, budget, and needs. Below are a few recommendations when deciding to choose an LTC plan.

In Your Retirement Planning Years

You may not need long term care insurance in your 20s or 30s, but ages 45-65 are the retirement planning years when it’s important to create a long term care plan and learn about your options.

Rates for LTC insurance are based on your age when you apply and your premiums are locked in – they don’t go up year after year as you grow older. This means the older you are, the higher your premiums will be. The “sweet spot” ages for most LTC insurance carriers is in your 50s.

For rates based on your age and location, try our online quoting tool and work with an LTC Specialist to customize your plan.

Before a Major Health Event Strikes

Waiting until you reach age 65 to buy coverage isn’t always the best idea. Why? Because an unexpected accident or illness could strike at any time and leave you ineligible or in need of long term care services.

Don’t feel pressured to wait until a golden age. Buy coverage when you’re young and healthy to lock in lower rates and good health discounts (if available). If health issues deem you ineligible for coverage, there’s no amount of money that can get you covered. LTC insurance is bought with your health.

When You Have Children and Assets to Protect

Have you thought about how a long term care event could affect your children, grandchildren, and your income or assets?

While long term care insurance offers more freedom and independence, many people don’t buy coverage just for themselves. They buy LTC insurance to protect their hard-earned savings and their children from the physical and emotional burden of providing care for a loved one.

If you have children and assets to protect, long term care insurance should be a part of your retirement planning and long term care plan.

When You Recognize the Need

Have you watched a friend or loved one face an expensive and debilitating long term care event? Has it made you think about your future?

Don’t wait until it’s too late to make a plan. While you’re thinking about long term care coverage, speak with a specialist who can answer your questions and customize a plan that works for your needs and budget. When you recognize the need, that’s always the best time to get started.

Curious what LTC coverage would cost for you? Try LTC Consumer’s online LTC quoting tool with rates from the top LTCI carriers. Work with an LTC specialist to customize your long term care plan to fit your needs.

LTC Consumer is an independent, free online service to help consumers understand what long term care insurance is, how it works, and how to evaluate coverage options. Our mission is to provide an educational, no-pressure resource for learning about long term care planning, with the opportunity to speak with specialists who can help them.

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