Preparing For Tomorrow podcast

We often hear from sons and daughters who want to buy LTC coveeage for a parent.  This could be to preserve a family home, to avoid Medicaid, or because they watched their parents care for their own parents for several years.  They don't want to go through that again. This works if the parent is still healthy enough to be approved by an insurance company. Different kinds of planning strategies are offered by different companies up to various age limits, and health questions differ as well. We can be pretty certain that Medicaid will be less accomodating in the future.  Learn more about that with resources from View current and projected costs of care where you live Estimate premiums for 6 year LTC plans Learn what your state Medicaid program lets you keep today Schedule a meeting to learn more

This week is about tax deductions and tax savings with LTC insurance.  Individuals and business owners often overlook the tax advantages that a long term care insurance plan offers.   Listen and learn who can use what kind of tax planning when funding their LTC plan. Disclosure: I am not an accountant or tax advisor.  I'm simply sharing what tax saving strategiesa are available.  Consult your CPA or tax advisor for specifics to your situation. Note: I mention non-forfeiture benefits on traditional LTC plans.  This rider lets a policyholder cancel their plan any time after three years AND RETAIN BENEFITS EQUAL TO PREMIUMS ALREADY PAID.  I left this last part out in the recording. Estimate LTC insurance rates for 6 year plans with 3% inflation growth See what Medicad let's us keep in different states currently View median costs of care in various settings where you live Schedule a phone or Zoom meeting 

This week, I'm hearing that people want to plan for potential LTC needs, but they are afraid to do that today because of our uncertain economy and stock market fluctuations. It's more important than ever to own our own plan today.  Federal programs are being gutted, and Medicare and Medicaid are the two biggest expenses on the federal budget.  Medicaid is not going to do more in the future. People who thought thay had enough savings to self fund care are seeing today that that should not be a lone solution.  Those who are drawing from retirement accounts today to pay for care will have no opportunity for a rebound. That money is GONE! There aren't enough professional caregivers today to keep up with demand. We need to be our own advocates and plan for future care needs.  We're going to get through this, and many of us will continue to live a long life.  When we live a long life, we get old.  And when we get old, we need help living. It's much easier to get help when we plan ahead. Schedule with me today  

We and our financial advisors are preparing to need money to last 30 plus years in retirement, yet we don't trust LTC insurance companies to help protect us during that time. If we think we're going to live that long, do we really believe we will remain as strong, healthy and active as we are today?  Look at our parents and grandparents. Humans slow down as we age.  Dementia is showing up in our 60s.  People are having strokes in their 50s due to stress. We need to be prepared. LTC insurance is strictly regulated by the NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) to make sure that rules are followed for marketing and claims.  Learn how our state departments of insurance protect us The America Association for LTC insurance was created in 1988 to educate consumers and support insurance/financial professionals.  You can learn a lot from them The report from Faegre Drinker on NAIC Model regulation can be found Estimate LTC premiums View current and projected costs of care where you live Schedule a meeting with me and Prepare for Tomorrow 

I wanted to title this episode "Stable & Controlled" because that's what LTC health underwriters look for in every applicant's medical history. Today, I share several things not to do until after you've applied and been approved for some form of LTC insurance. We don't need to be in perfect health, but we need to be aware of red flags that the insurance companies will view as an unacceptable risk. Listen and learn what not to do until both you and the insurance company of your choice have made decisions and coverage is in place. Schedule with me to design your plan   Estimate traditional and hybrid LTC premiums   Learn what your state Medicaid system lets you keep Explore current and projected future costs of care at home, in assisted living and in nursing homes   

I was introduced to a couple ages 79 and 72 who thought it might be too late to plan for LTC protection. Thankfully, companies that offer LTC coverage continue to create new ways to plan and help older Americans protect their loved ones when an extended care need shows up. If you think you may have waited too long, you might be surprized at what is available today. Schedule a meeting to learn more Estimate LTC insurance premiums (These are not the plan I'm sharing today) Check out current and projected costs of care where you live Schedule a quick question Learn what your state's Medicaid system let's you keep

This week, we answer two questions by sharing some history of the long term care industry. 1) Do I have to go to a nursing home to receive my benefits? 2) Can I use my LTC policy to pay my family? Listen and learn how the LTC industry has evolved over the last 51 years to accomodate needs and desires of our aging population. Estimate LTC premiums Schedule to ask me a question Learn how much income and assets your state Medicaid system let's you keep Catch more episodes Learn current and projected costs for home care, assisted living and nursing home care  Schedule with me to design your plan

Would you rather pay $145,000 or $245,000 in total premiums to have $1,300,000 in long term care benefits at age 85? When we pay our premiums over a shorter number of years, we almost always pay less than if we pay a smaller rate for the rest of our lives. It's important to understand the big picture of both physical and financial health when designing a plan. If I don't ask questions, I won't know if there is a way to pay $100,000 less for the same benefits. Estimate recurring LTC premiums Schedule 15 minutes to ask a question Learn how much income and assets your state Medicaid system lets you keep   Listen to more episodes Learn current and projected LTC costs of home care, assisted living and nursing homes where you live Schedule to design your plan

Many believe that Medicare pays for long term care needs.   Many also confuse Medicare and Medicaid. Listen and learn how both of these government programs work and why we need to understand why it's important to plan for ourselves and maintain control over where we live and who is helping us when we are unable to care for ourselves for an extended and unknown amount of time. What state Medicaid offices let you keep Schedule a meeting with me 15 minutes to ask a question - schedule Check out current & projected costs of care Estimate LTC premiums Listen to more episodes

This is always the question.  We all want to wait as long as we can before paying for something we don't want to own to protect our family from something that we don't want to happen.   Let me tell you - if that something is going to happen, it will whether we plan or not. Don't end up where the state Medicaid system "puts you" because you didn't plan ahead. Most people plan 25 years before along term care need arises.  When should you plan?  Listen here.  Schedule a meeting Ask a question Estimate LTC premiums   Learn what Medicaid let's you keep See projected costs of care American Association of LTCinsurance

Estimate LTC premiums Schedule a meeting with me Ask a quick question Listen to more episodes Learn what your state lets you keep to qualify for Medicaid Cost of care estimator is

Annuities can be confusing, and we tried to help keep this clear and understandable, but ---- annuities can be confusing. Schedule a meeting with me to learn more Ask a question Estimate LTC premiums Listen to more episodes  Project future costs of care in your area Learn what Medicaid let's you keep This last link is a link that is shared by 6-8 LTC professionals, so if you'd loke to shecule, pleas eus my first limk above.  Thank you

There are multiple ways to design LTC plans to get mney back of care isn't needed.  Listen to many options today.  Part two comes next week. Estimate LTC insurance premiums here: Schedule a meeting with me here:   Get a question answered here:   Listen to more podcast episodes here:   What your state lets you keep:   Cost of Care estimstor:  

Estimate LTC insurance premiums here: Ask a question here:   Listen to more podcast episodes here:   What your state let's you keep:   Schedule a phone or Zoom meeting here:   

LTC Resources  Estimate LTC insurance premiums here Ask a question here Listen to podcast episodes here What your state let's you keep:   Cost of care estimator:   Social Security life expectancy table: Social Security life expectancy by DOB:  

Schedule with me at Ask a question at Website: Podcast episodes:   What your state let's you keep:   Cost of Care estimator:      

We wish everyone a joyful Christmas and holiday season.  Celebrate with those near and far,  and enjoy all the bountiful gifts of love and family.  Open your hearts and love those you love even more this season.  Welcome those who are far from your hearts! I hope you enjoy the song my husband wrote a while back to celebrate the true Reason for the Season. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!   Psst:  It's me on flute again

As you gather with family and friends this holiday season, I ask you to notice sons and daughters helping their moms and dads perform simple tasks like cutting their food or getting in and out of chairs. Ask yourself and your spouse/partner what you would like to have happen when you reach a point when it's your turn to need help. Do you have kids?  Can they, and do you want them to be forced to help you alone?  Or do you want to prepare a written plan that includes answers to their questions and resources to help them? If you don't have kids, I ask you to think about who will be taking on that role for you? LTC insurance is simply a tool the provides funding for you to be able to control your care experience and to decide with your doctors and family where the best place is for you to receive that care. Who wants to hand that control over to the state Medicaid department?  Not anyone I know. Whether to decide to own insurance or not, you need a plan.  You need to write that plan down and share it with your family so they know what you want and where you want to be. Email me at to request two free planning guides to help you help your family help you. Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Diane shares two client stories and some of her own family's story that have all developed over the last two years. So many people want to wait as long as they can to own LTC insurance, but they fail to understand that health is what buys this stuff.  When health concerns show up, sometimes we'll be required to wait a specified period of time to be able to apply for coverage.  Or we may become an uninsurable health risk, negating all the plans we had wanted to be able to use to protect our family and savings. If you're considering planning for future extended care needs, don't wait! Do it when you first decide to do it.  You are currently the youngest and likely the healthiest you'll ever be.  Use your health and youth to your advantage to obtain the most leverage for the dollars paid into a plan. Shcedule some time with me to first determine if some form of insurance is an appropriate tool for you.  If it is, we'll design a customized plan that  meets your family's unique needs. Schedule and get ready to Prepare for Tomorrow!

This week, we're sharing how Joe & Jenny used a single payment to create a paid up LTC and/or death benefit that pay tax-free when care is needed or when death occurs. This couple is in their 70s and are thankfully healthy enough to be approved for coverage. At 71 and 72, the leverage isn't as strong as when we're inour 40s, 50s or 60s, but we were still able to create a plan that pays significantly more than what is paid in. At younger ages, we would definitely use an inflation rider to increase benefitrs over time as we know the costs of care are increasing. This couple was planning tu use their $200,000 for care if one or both of them needs help living at home, in assisted living or in a nursing home environment.  By adding the leverage of the insurance plan, they each have nearly doubled the amount of money set aside for care needs. When we plan in our 40s or 50s, we see leverage at 8-10 times the amount paid in most of the time. I know it seems like we should wait to plan for LTC until later in life, but the leverage when buying younger is amazing.  And, with many plans, if you don't need care, then money goes back to your heirs.  And when younger, we are more likely to be approved for coverage. Schedule with me     to schedule a short call to see if this is something for you to consider.  

This week, let's all be thankful for the people we have in our lives. We'll get back to preparing to help them help us better when we need help living  - after enjoying those we love most today! Happy Thanksgiving

This week, I interviewed Lynda Krueger with Owl Be There Tampa.  Owl Be There isn't a quick referral by zip code resource.  Or a DIY search through Google. Lynda and her associate improve the lives of seniors with wise guidance around senior living and care. Lynda shares the details of what it takes and how she works to find the right place based on client needs, lifestyles, spiritual beliefs, proximity to family and more. Reach Lynda in the Tampa Bay area at Or search nationwide at and click on locations It's always easier (less complicated) when you have a LTC insurance to help pay for needs at this time of life.  Then the fa,ily can focus on what's best rather than what they can afford.  Schedule to ask me for help planning.  

There are so many ways to design a long term care plan.  However, different planning strategies offer their own unique benefits. For example, LTC Partnership Protection is only available on stand-alone LTC plans. Cash benefits and return of premium options are stronger with hybrid life/LTC and annuity /LTC plans. We will work together to decide which plans and benefits will meet your family's needs best. Listen and learn more and then schedule with me to design your plan

Lisa asked if LTC insurance requires us to use the whole benefit every month or can we use less and stretch the benefit period to pay longer. The answer is "that depends". What kind of plan do you have? What kind of care do you need? Where are you living to receive care? Who will be helping you? Listen and schedule with me See what your state lets you keep   

This week, a client emailed me an article from Moneywise's retirement section that discussed Medicaid estate recovery. Read the article here -  The reason we plan is so that Medicaid won't take our house or impoverish our family. This link shows what different states let us keep and still qualify for Medicaid to pay for our care - There are several ways to protect against the risk of needing help living at some point in our lives.   Many people think, "I'm healthy. Why would I need long term care assistance?" A lot of times, we don't need help because we're sick.  It's because we get old and become more frail.  It's hard to imagine we may be frail at some point, but our aging parents used to be stronger and more agile than they are today.  Why would we be any different if we live a long life? We need to prepare today for that day when life gets more complicated and difficult for us and for our families. No one really wants to rely on the state for care and be "put" into a Medicaid bed in a nursing home.  We want to stay in control throughout our lives. Having a plan that uses some insurance and some savings/income wil help us to maintain that control  We are paying for our own care, so we get to decide where that care will be provided. Given a choice, it won't be in a nursing home.  And the state won't be involved in out financial plan. Let me help you prepare for your tomorrow today, whle you are yong enough and healthy enough to obtain a LTC plan that meets your unique needs. Schedule    

I promise I'll start talking numbers and cases again next week. We made it through the storms and things are almost normal in our community. This week, I received a question about me rather than about long term care, and I felt the need to answer. Do I get depressed talking about getting old or getting sick all day long? I've been working as an LTC Specialist for over 20 years, and you would think I am sad every day. Listen and learn why that is not the case, and then schedule time with me so I can help you and your family prepare for your tomorrow.  

Thank you for all the phone calls and messages asking how we are doing.  Our home is fine.  No damage and no flooding.  We didn't lose power.  Lots of branches to clean up, and the last two days we've been putting all the stuff we had to move back where it belongs. I hear generators and chainsaws whenever I am outside, and I feel kind of guilty for not having as much damage and problems as those around us. We are helping others where we can, but Paul just had hernia surgery a few weeks ago.   The authorities are asking us to stay put until flooding, electricity and other needs are met. I'll hopefully be back to helping you prepare for tomorrow with Long Term Care guidance next week!.      

Just a quick update.  We're ok so far.  Hoping for a Cat 3 or less when it hits, likely a little south of us so we'll get a lot of rain.   Presuming all goes as well as can be, I'll update you all on Friday.

This week is tough.  Hurricane Helene ripped through the southeast and surprised far too many families. My family is safe, and those we know in the areas hit here in Florida and in the mountains are safe, but many aren't.  It will take months and even years to rebuild these areas. This made it difficult for me to talk about preparing for tomorrow when there is so much devastation today. Storms that are created by weather and by dementia hit hard when they hit, and we need to be alert and prepared for both. I can help the people hurt by the storm with prayer. You can prepare to fight against dementia by scheduling time to discuss planning options with me at      

To answer this question, I need to first share why and when LTC insurance companies are required to approve and pay a claim, and then I'll discuss where this can get confusing or messed up. LTC insurance companies are strictly regulated by the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) 7702(b). If the plans offered will be tax deductible to some individuals and most businesses, and for benefits to be paid tax-free, LTC insurance companies must adhere to the 7702(b) rule. This week, I'm sharing and simplifying definitions within the 7702(b) code. When we understand when companies are required to pay, we'll be better able to use their own vocabulary when talking with the claims departments. If you already own LTC insurance, you should read the policy and review it every couple of years.  Have your kids read it, too.  And adult children should read and review their parents' policies. If you would like help reviewing your plan, ask.  I'll be glad to to review it with you. If you don't own LTC insurance, it's time to schedule with me at start designing a customized plan to meet your specific wants and needs. Schedule at   

Today, I want to discuss the financial risk we're facing when planning for LTC needs in 20 or 30 years or more. Home care costs increased on average 10% nationwide from 2022-2023. Assisted Living costs increased 5% on average over that same time. It's not going to get cheaper to get the care we need to get through each day. This information comes from Falls are a big reason people start to need help and support per HelpGuide.org   Caregiving is expensive, financially, physically, emotionally.  We can't be expected to do this alone, without help. If we reach age 65, greater than 50% of us are going to need some form of extended care services. Thankfully, most of us won't be in a nursing home.   But we need a plan to be able to stay home and receive care.  We need to plan to pay well over $20,000/month for care needs in 30 years. Listen to this week's episode of costs of care and schedule with me to design your plan at  

Yes, a colleague of mine is selling all of her uncle's belongings because he was "put into aged care". Those who plan know where they want to be when a long term care event enters the picture.  And they have the income, savings and LTC insurance to support their plan.  Most stay home with help for most to the need and move to assisted living if care needs increase.  Most don't ever live in a nursing home, and they surely don't get "put" somewhere. People without a plan put their whole family in a crisis mode adter a severe stroke or when Alzheimer's or other dementia shows up. The three questions we need to ask are: 1) Where do I want to be when needing help to et through each day? 2)  Who do I want to have there with me? 3)  How will I pay for this? Needing LTC services is expensive.  Home care easily costs near $40/hour today, and assisted living $4-8000/month.  Costs of care are increasing by about 5% annually. Schedule some time with me to protect your family when life doesn;t go as planned  

On Sunday, Suze Orman discussed the finally finalized rules for inherited IRA's. Listen here:   Today, I'm going to share a case study to share what one of our clients did with some of the IRA funds she inherited from her mom. Some of you know that "non-eligible" beneficiaries of IRA funds are required to withdraw all tne money in the IRA within 10 years and pay taxes on those withdrawals.  If you don't know, listen to Suze's podcast episode from Sunday, September 3, 2024 with the above link. Nicole used $17,000 a year of the $45,000 she is required to withdraw annually over 10 years to create a paid-up long term care plan that will pay more than the entire inheritance she received ($450,000 IRA and $450,000 non-IRA funds). Listen and learn how we accomplished this.  Nicole's mom left her a nice inheritance with an unforseen tax burden.  We repositioned that tax burden to create tax-free LTC benefits for her or a tax-free death benefit for her kids. Schedule with me to learn how you can reposition yout tax-burden at      

The two most common reasons people tell me they're looking into LTC insurance are: 1) They don't want to bankrupt their spouse emotionally, physically or financially, and 2) they don't want to burden their children with the responsibility to care for them or to have to pay for their care. Many who say this are caring for a parent who hadn't planned. Many of us in our 50s and 60s don't think we'll ever need care, even though we are providing for our parents.  Why do we deny that we could end up needing help as much as they do today. The best gift an older parent can give to their adult children can be a funded LTC plan for the adult children.  This way, the granchildren won't be facing the same caregiving issues the kids have while caring for the elderly parents now. Parents who are trying to leave an inheritance for their kids can use a small portion of their savings to obtain a very substantial LTC plan for the kids.  This can lessen the burdens of hte next generation. Schedule with me to learn how    

Tom shared that there is dementia in his wife's family but not in his.  He wants a policy for her but doesn't think he'll need one. My mom's husband said the same thing several years ago, and now he has dementia, at age 68.  She's going to be upset that I am sharing this, but it's so important to consider how your decisions affect your family. You may never need long term care services, but what if you do? Who is going to have to step up and change their lives to help you and for how long? Who is going to decide where you're going to have to live? Who is going to have to sell all your stuff to qualify you for Medicaid? Who is going to sacrifice their future to keep you out of a Medicaid nursing home? All because you never thought you woudl need help someday... There are plans that pay your family back if care is never needed, so why not use some of your money to protect the rest while you're protecting your family from being forced to choose between multiple bad options to meet your needs? Schedule with me to start designing your plan at    

This week, we're talking about health qualifying for LTC benefits. What to do... What not to do... LTC planning is all about timing.  If you apply at the wrong time or with the wrong company, you could be declined for something that would have been approved had we waited for the right time or company.  We don't want to make this mistake. It takes a lot longer to overturn a decline than it does to wait until the best time to apply for a more likely approval. LTC underwriters really are nice people.  Their job is to find reasons someone would be too much risk to the company's other clients.  My goal is to know where and when you are most likely to be approved. If you have a health concern and wonder if it is an acceptable risk to getting LTC coverage, ask me for help.  The insurance companies are not a part of our conversation until we invite them in with an application. Schedule at  

Too often, people contact me when it's too late to access all their LTC planning options. Some people believe they are planning ahead at age 80. Some people wait to inquire until after a diagnosis either limits their options or makes them altogether uninsurable. The earlier we plan, the more choices we have, AND the more benefits we can obtain for the least amout of premium. Business owners can deduct LTC premiums, so it's helpful to pay for the plans while you still own the business, to get additional tax write offs. C corporations can deduct 100% of LTC premiums without a cap. LLCs and S Corps have a maximum they can deduct.  The 2024 caps are below.  These are per person Age 40 or less  $470 Age 41-50  $880 Age 51-60  $1760 Age 61-70  $4710 Age 71+    $5880 Schedule with me to learn more  

This week, my husband, Paul, asks me multiple questions that we get quite often.  I'm guessing you've asked at least one of these questions if you've been considering LTC insurance to protect your family from an extended care need. Please email me additional questions you may have, and I'll be glad to answer you.  I may even use your question for a future episode. In fact, I challenge you to ask me a question I've never heard before. Schedule time to strart designing your plan at  

There are many professionals from whom you can purchase LTC insurance, but an LTC Planning Specialist is going to have the most knowledge and training about all the options that can be available based on unique needs of each person or family. This week I'm sharing what to watch out for when you work with different kinds of professionals.  I'm not saying that every representative who does not specialize in LTC will not do a good job. I'm sharing things to watch out for because this is one of the most important decisions you'll make regarding your family's future. You need to be sure you are protecting those you love and your life savings using the most appropriate method to meet your needs. LTC Planning Specialists are not afraid to ask the hard questions that need to be asked to do the job right. LTC Planning Specialists will wait for the best opportunities for you to be approved. Schedule with me to learn how you can protect your family, savings and choices at a time when you may be the most vulnerable.   email me at to ask a question

Several people are asking if they can use their life insurance policies for long term care needs. Some newer life insurance plans include a chronic illness rider that let's you use the dealth benefit while still alive and needing help living through your day.  Those plans don't consider that needing care wil cost much more in the future, however. Older life insurance policies generally don't allow early use for LTC needs. You can exchange those plans for a plan that wil pay for LTC.  Some of the LTC plans will also pay a death benefit if care is not needed. Listen and learn what Rob & Judy are considering with their old life insurance policies by using the IRS 1035 exchange rule to reposition their plan feom a death benefit only to a death and LTC benefit. If you own life insurance with cash value built up, you can use that cash value to create an LTC plan wil little or no premiums. Schedule with me to learn how  

Teresa wants to know what happens to any LTC benefit money she doesn't use. There are plans that pay your family back if no care or little care is needed, but that's not why we buy insurance. Insurance by definition is a guarantee against the risk of loss or harm.  We buy insurance in caswe we need it. Any help our family gets will more than likely be accepted with gratitude.  Without outside help, caring for someone is a full-time job in itself.  Then we need to take into account all the other stuff that needs to be managed. The most common thing I see is that people don't open their claim early enough.  As people age, they try so hard to prove they don't need help.  They don't see that if they use their benefits, they are giving so much back to their family. Whether you own LTC insurance or not, you need to have a plan.  And you need to share your plan with your family so they know what you would like to have happen when extended care is needed. Email me for a planning guide you can use to start the conversation - Schedule an introductory meeting with me at  

Alicia's insurance agent told her she was too short for her weight and no LTC insurance can be offered to her. Turns out that agent only represented one company.  Other companies will consider her build (height/weight).   Many people are either very small or very big.  There are alternative solutions to planning for future care needs that can help those outside of the weight limits of most companies.   Some companies don't ask about build or health at all, while some have more lenient health requirements than others. If you've been told you can't qualify for LTC insurance, it is wise to ask for a second opinion. Reach out to me to ask what else can be offered to help you protect your family, assets and choices https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/30min

This week, you just need to listen and learn from my mistakes.  Some I made as a kid, and the most recent was over the last few years.  I didn't want to seem intrusive when that is exactly how I should have been.   Now, I am just sad.  Sad that I didn't do what I've been encouraging you to do.  I tried, but I didn't try hard enough.  If you need caregiver support, go to The Alzheimer's Association has support info at Schedule time with me to plan today so you can be prepared for the storms of tomorrow at   Email me a question at  

To deepen our look into LTC annuities, this week we review how Danny 1035 exchanged a $160,000 variable annuity to a LTC indexed annuity with tax-free benefits for extended care needs.   His cost basis (amount he originally deposited) was only $54,000.  He has a lot of liquid assets and doesn't need the $160K to live on today. He is also an uninsurable health risk for almost all LTC funding options other than Medicaid, which he wants to avoid. Listen and learn how we moved his $160K into over $435K in tax free LTC benefits.  The account and LTC benefits balances will continue to increase over his lifetime. Now he has a dedicated stream of tax-free cash for care needs and is free to spend the rest of his retireement assets however he chooses. If you or someone you love has been holding onto an annuity because they don't want to pay taxes when withdrawing, ask me how you can also create tax-free benefits for care.  Leave Uncle Sam out of your plans. My calendar  

This week, Diane shares how the PensionProtection Act passed in 2010 makes it possible to 1035 exchange non-qualified annuities into various LTC plans that generate tax-free income for extended care needs. Not all annuities are tax-free for LTC.  LIsten and learn how different rules apply to different annuity forms. If you or somone you know has an annuity that they don't want to use due to many years of taxable earnings when withdrawn, consider 1035 exchanging that into an LTC annuity with tax-free income for long term care. If care is never needed, the annuity is passed to beneficiaries just like  other annuities.   Let's work together to learn if you can design an LTC plan that saves taxes and dosen't impact your budget. Schedule with me at to learn what is available inyour state.

We think we can beat the insurance company by waiting as long as we can to purchase LTC insurance.   In truth we're just beating ourselves up. Every year that we wait is one more year of no increase in benefits.  By waiting just 5 years, we could eliminate over $100,000 in future benefits.   I'm sharing two stories today.  One client decided not to wait, and she'll have more than $100,000 in added benefits by not waiting. The other has waited over 13 years and still wants to wait.  During that 13 years, he has lost over $600,000 in future LTC benefits when he is 84.  He'll either not have as much LTC benefits, or he'll need to start with a higher anount of coverage to attain the same results. If protecting your family from the physical, emotional and financial consequenses of an extended care need is important to you today, it's foolish to wait. Schedule with me today to protect your family  

This week, I'm sharing updates on the four clients with LTC claims that we shared on February 22nd. I have been walking with these families as they prepare for and begin extensive caregiving needs for their moms and wives. I can't imagine how hard it would be to navigate the claims process without guidance from an LTC Specialist. Some phrases I've heard along this journey are: "Everything changes every day.  The stuff I needed to help with yesterday is completely different than what she needs today." "She doesn't remember ANYTHING I tell her." "I'm so glad you're here to help me get this in place.  I don't know how I could do it alone." Opening an LTC claim is not that complicaed, if you know what to expect.  I feel like I'm a relevant part of each family's team as they work to help their loved one get through each day.  I'm honored to be involved, and I'm thankful that God has placed me in this role to help with such extreme needs. If you don't have a plan for your last few years, contact me.  We'll work together to make sure you have a plan, and that you and your family understnad how that plan works.  

This week, I enjoyed a great interview with Dr. Jay Zigmont with Childfree Wealth. Their website is I learned that 25% of U.S. adults don't have kids.  That's a huge part of our population that is underserved in the retirement planning community.  Many planners consider that with our without kids, your plans should be similar,  and that's simply not accurate. When we dont have kids, we know we need to have a plan for long term care needs.  Many parents presume their kids will take care of them, or they'll at least make sure they're taken care of.  Childfree folks know that this is not an option.   If married and childfree, it's important to make sure that an extended care need like dementia or a stroke for one won't bankrupt the other. If married or not, we all have an idea of what we really care about in regards to long term care needs.  We need to dig in and ask how are we going to make sure that this happens?   That I live in the place I want to live if I can't live alone That I get those little things that make me happy (for me it's cheesecake - I don't eat it now, but if I make it to 90, I want that to be my breakfast every day). That I have enough money to take care of myself gracefully - and don't end up with less than than Zero and on Medicaid Jay's childfree clients know that they need a plan, and they create that plan - usually in their 40s, when it's most affordable and can be paid up long before retirement. Jay takes well known planning concepts and turns them into childfree planning strategies. Feel free to reach out to him at Contact me if you are childfree or not.  We can design your LTC plan together -    

We need to start planning now, 30 years before we think we'll need help living. It'a hard to believe that care could ever cost that much, but in 2001, when I started working in the LTC industry, nursing homes were $1000/month.  People I spoke with thought that was so unfair. Use Genworth's Cost of Care report to view projected future costs here  Be sure to input 5% inflation growth to budget accurately. Most of us would be happy if care for dementia or mobility concerns was only $1000/month. In 1990, home care costs were about $11/day. Getting old and needing help is not ever going to get less expensive, so we need a plan. This week, I share the plan Maureen and I designed to create $250K annual LTC benefits in 30 years, when she is 80.  She has enough income and assets to cover higher costs withoujt hurting herself or her family financially. Listen and learn about the plan she chose to protect her family and, even more importantly, her CHOICES.   Schedule with me to design your plan at  

If we want to make sure we can stay home when long term care is needed, we need a plan.  We need to afford the care we want. If costs of care continue to increase every year like they have been, this is not something most of us will self-fund without bankrupting ourselves or destroying family relationships. The first thing we need to do is admit that we'll probably need help living at some point. Bill Comfort with Certification for Long Term Care says, "If we don't die, wil live long lives.  If we live long lives, we get old.  And when we get old, we need help living." We need to prepare for this and presume we will be the one who lives a long life. How are we going to get the care we need?  Who will provide it?  How will we pay for it?    Will we pay in dollars or with the physical and mental exhaustion of our family? Let me help you prepare to live a long life successfully.  Schedule with me at

In other words, why shoud I trust the insurance company? All insurance companies, and especially LTC companies are heavily regulated and watched closely by all 50 states.   States monitor complaints to ensure compliance. Regulators work with the consumer and company to assist with payments. Often, regulators explain to consumers why a claim isn't being paid and advise the consumer what they need to do to complete the claim requirements. Listen and learn how may ways the Elimination Period is defined by different companies.  It's no wonder we get confused and frustrated. All the more reason to work with a LTC Specialist like me who understands these key differences and can explain them clearly so you know what you are considering. When you understand what you own, there won't be surprises later. Let me help you design your plan.  Schedule here https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/30min