Friday, July 11, 2014

Looking at the numbers behind the LONG TERM CARE choices

Imagine spending 10 years in a confined situation.  If I need help to get through daily chores and get shopping done, what can I do?

I can set aside money and "self insure" and then I don't have to be "checked out" to see if I qualify.  I can take the money to pay for my health care people.

OR

I can give $1200 a month to a company and they have the task of paying for my caregiver.
$400 a day x 365 days =  146,000 a year.   If I'm in capacitated for 10 years, that's 1.46 million someone needs to pay for.

I can set aside $700,000 and in 20 years it can grow to be $1.5 million.

OR  I can give $1200 a month or $15,000 a year for the next 20 years to a company ($300,000) and they have to pay $1.46 million.


If I self-insure, I get the flexibility of deciding when I pay out.

If I pay $300,000 over 20 years to a Long Term Care provider, I have to fight and prove that I need the support to get my money.

What could I do with $300,000?  That money is gone to the Long Term Care provider.   I also have the possibility that I might never need Long Term Care.
If I don't, I still have access ot the $300,000 in premiums that I would have paid because I have set aside the money and I can draw down the money anytime.


PLAN CURRENTLY
Put 1 million with Hightower, let it grow for the next 20 years, perhaps at age 87 I start to need the support of $400 per day for a care giver,  I can draw down $146,000 a year.


2015   give hightower $1 million


2033  Value is  $2 million  (or more)   and I pay from that amount the $150,000 a year for my support.

2038   I've spent $750,000 over 5 years and my fund is still $1.25million.     I can go on cruises!

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If I rely on the Long Term Care company, I continue to pay $15,000 a year between 2033 and 2038  so  I pay out $75,000 (plus the 20 years of premiums of $300,000) and I can get the company to pay for my caregiver.
Positives:  someone else is paying the $150,000 a year
Negatives:  they got to use my money during the 20 years
I've given away $300,000 to have this coverage.


The Long Term Care Calculator
https://www.ltcfeds.com/ltcWeb/do/assessing_your_needs/RateCalcResults

Conclusion:  there is more flexibility in protecting and self-insuring.