Jeffery Stein, ChFC, CLU ,LUTCF
President
Stein Financial Group

1600 Utica Ave S
9th floor
St Louis Park, MN 55416
612-895-5400
jstein@steinfg.com
www.Steinfinancialgroup.com

How to Pay For Long-Term Care: 8 Strategies

By Tammy Ward and Ed Friderici

For most, it is difficult to think about the possibility of needing long-term care. But many will need it. Start the discussion and prepare yourself now, so you do not face a financial challenge later.

Nurse With Senior Woman

Long-term care planning—if not now, when?

Two big questions loom as the American population comes of age for long-term care—How do I plan for it? Can I afford it?

When it comes to planning for a safe and secure retirement, long-term care (LTC) can be a confusing and unaddressed challenge to many people’s financial security. Some of the hesitancy can be pinned to human nature—we don’t like to think about the unpleasant possibility of needing help being fed, bathed or using the bathroom. Some might think it won’t happen to them. Others can’t think that far down the road.

Some additional hurdles include:

Planning can help

While it might sound simplistic, handling these issues starts with a conversation to get the ball rolling. The act of discussing and planning can help alleviate the emotional, financial and physical stress related to LTC. According to a 2018 study by Genworth, of those who prepared, 66% wished they had taken steps to plan sooner.

In those situations where LTC was needed, 84% of caregivers and 75% of recipients report they would have “done things differently.” Without a plan, you may have to make in-the-moment and subpar decisions to help a loved one. Crisis planning can end poorly.

How to pay for LTC*

The good news is that planning and products have evolved. Let’s dig into what can be done today to help ease the worry and challenges posed by growing older.

1. Medicare vs. Medicaid

Several strategies are at your disposal to help cover costs associated with LTC.

But not Medicare. Most people believe their LTC needs will be covered by Medicare. Medicare will pay for short stays in skilled nursing facilities that provide rehab or therapy services after a hospital stay. However, Medicare does not cover long-term care.

In contrast, Medicaid covers long-term care costs at home or in a skilled nursing facility. In fact, Medicaid is the primary payer for long-term care services. The biggest issue is that many people who need long-term care never qualify for Medicaid assistance. Here’s why:

2. Self-funded long-term care

Perhaps you cannot qualify for traditional long-term care insurance (LTCI) due to existing health issues. In this situation, you will have to use savings or investments to pay for care out of pocket and should set money aside for two to three years of LTC. Planning early is key to success.

The downside to this approach is not knowing how many years of care may be needed. Alzheimer’s has an average life expectancy after diagnosis of eight to ten years, according to the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation. The funds to cover five years in a facility may be available but would deplete all assets in year six with nothing left for heirs.

3. Use pre-tax savings, like an IRA*

Another strategy designates pre-tax savings (IRA) to purchase LTC protection. Retirement assets can be surprisingly substantial and a good source for LTC needs. Some things to think about:

4. Explore Roth IRAs and backdoor Roth IRAs**

Assets pulled from a traditional IRAs are taxed as ordinary income. Luckily Roth IRAs are funded with after-tax monies, and feature tax-free growth, tax-free withdrawals and no RMDs. Earmarking a Roth for LTC costs or premiums may be a worthwhile strategy.

Higher earners may also benefit by using what is called a backdoor non-deductible Roth IRA. This is an IRS-permitted method allowing one to fund a Roth IRA even if income is higher than IRS limits for standard Roth contributions or conversions.

Funds can be used to pay for LTC costs or pay premiums for coverage. Please note—taxes must be paid on monies converted to a backdoor Roth IRA and it will likely count as income, possibly pushing one into a higher tax bracket.

It is always helpful to speak to a tax professional to assess every individual’s unique situation.

5. Mind your health savings accounts***

A health savings account (HSA) is a hidden jewel in your LTC and retirement planning arsenal. The approach is simple, effective and tax-advantaged.

Age before close of taxable year Max LTCI annual premium that can be paid by an HSA
40 or less $450
> 40 to 50 $850
> 50 to 60 $1,690
> 60 to 70 $4,520
> 70 $5,640

Source: Internal Revenue Service

As the figure below illustrates, contributing to an HSA over time can result in a substantial balance.****

6. Leverage your home: Reverse mortgage

Individuals wishing to cover long-term care costs can leverage perhaps their greatest asset, their home, to pay for LTC expenses or an LTCI policy. The first option to take a look at is the reverse mortgage. For those 62 and older, the lender makes a loan in a lump sum, monthly installments or as a line of credit for the homeowner. The loan is typically paid back with interest when the home is sold. For seniors, there is some comfort in knowing that the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) is insured by the U.S. Federal Government. What you need to know:

There are some important considerations when using a reverse mortgage for LTC. The lender will want to make sure the homeowner is financially capable of maintaining their home. In some circumstances the lender will require funds set aside to cover these costs.

The borrower can live outside the home (think nursing home) for up to 12 months before the loan is due. This could be an issue if one spouse is in a nursing home and the other dies while still living in the house. The loan is due in one year.

Finally, reverse mortgage closing costs can be as high at 8% of the loan amount—significantly higher than a home equity line of credit. Certainly, some things to digest when weighing one’s options.

7. Leverage your home: Home equity line of credit

A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, can be a great alternative to a reverse mortgage and is a quick and easy way to access money for care or insurance. Loans based on equity in one’s home may be cheaper than reverse mortgages, which tend to have higher closing costs. Borrowers may be able to access up to 80% of their home’s equity. Additionally, HELOCs are extremely flexible as it relates to withdrawals and payback periods. To top it off, interest on the loan can be tax deductible in the year the interest is paid.

Furthermore, there is no requirement for the homeowner to maintain residence while the loan is in place. In this scenario, a HELOC has a clear advantage over a reverse mortgage. And, what if the person needs to sell their home to move into a facility? A HELOC can provide an excellent bridge strategy covering costs and expenses until the home is sold.

A HELOC is not without some downside. If the homeowner is unable to repay the loan, the lender could foreclose on the property. In addition, while rare, a lender could freeze the loan without ample warning.

8. Existing life insurance

There are a few ways an existing life insurance policy can help fund LTC. Individuals may have traditional life insurance policies that could be sold to a life settlement company. Proceeds will depend on the age and health status of the policyholder. Some life insurance policies offer “accelerated benefits” in the  form of a cash advance against the death benefit. Some insurance carriers may make an accelerated benefit available even if it is not in the contract. Either way, the upside may outweigh any reduction in death benefit for beneficiaries.

Let’s finish where we started—if not now, when?

Thinking about long-term care can be difficult but as they say, “necessity is the mother of invention.” Challenges along the way have led to innovations in recent years and there’s reason to feel hopeful about one’s ability to address the long-term care conundrum.

Start small. An initial conversation to get the ball rolling can go a long way. Next, integrate the discussion with the financial planning process, just as one would tackle saving for retirement or income in retirement. The risks and costs of long-term care are among the most important considerations—fortunately, there are an array of solid tactics and solutions available. Given the enormous potential impact on assets, we can all benefit from the dialogue.

Please be sure to discuss unique tax situations with a CPA or qualified tax professional.

*Always consult a tax professional before taking action. Withdrawals made prior to 591/2 may be subject to an early withdrawal penalty.

**A distribution from a Roth IRA is tax free and penalty free, provided the five-year aging requirement has been satisfied and one of the following conditions is met: age 591/2, disability, qualified first-time home purchase, or death.

***You can recieve tax-free distributions from your HSA to pay or be reimbursed for qualified medical expenses you incur after you establish the HSA. You may be able to claim a tax deduction for contributions you, or someone other than your employer, make to your HSA. Certain limits may apply to employees who are considered highly compensated key employees.

**** This hypothetical chart shows the growth of $500 invested monthly at a 3% annual rate of return. The values are for illustration only and do not reflect any past or future product performance.


Tammy L. Ward is a Connecticut-based writer focused on educational material for the financial services sector.

Ed Friderici is a Florida-based financial consultant and writer.