Long -Term Care Solutions: Hybrid Annuity

As you approach retirement, one critical issue you may face is how to manage the rising costs of long-term care (LTC). It’s no secret that traditional long-term care insurance has become less popular due to its unpredictability and high cost. Many people hesitate to commit to policies where they pay hefty premiums for years, only to pass away without ever needing long-term care, and consequently, seeing none of that money return to them or their loved ones. This issue becomes even more frustrating when insurance companies hike premiums, leaving policyholders trapped in an unsustainable situation. 

Luckily, there are better options. The idea of long-term care is evolving, and one innovative solution growing in popularity is the hybrid annuity with long-term care benefits. This product not only provides LTC coverage, but it also comes with certain guarantees and potential tax advantages. Whether you’re nearing retirement or well into it, hybrid annuities might be the bridge to a more secure future that not only covers potential health care needs but also allows you to preserve assets for your legacy. Let’s explore the concept in more detail and learn how these hybrid solutions, like the Equitrust Bridge annuity, can help you manage both retirement and long-term care effectively. 

Why Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance is Losing Ground 

In the past, the most common way to cover long-term care costs was through traditional LTC insurance. The logic was simple: you pay premiums during your working years, and in case you need help with daily activities (like bathing, eating, or moving around) in retirement, your LTC policy steps in. But things rarely stay simple. Many traditional LTC policies have downsides that make them less attractive today. For one, traditional long-term care insurance policies can be extremely expensive. Policyholders also risk paying premiums for decades, only to pass away without ever using the coverage. 

Another significant problem is the fact that many insurance companies have raised their premiums. This financial burden can escalate over time, causing people to pay far more than they initially planned. Worse yet, the policy doesn’t provide any return on the premiums if care is never needed, which makes it feel like a wasted investment to many. As a result, more people are seeking alternative solutions, such as hybrid long-term care insurance, which offers more flexible options and guarantees. 

Enter the Hybrid Annuity: What It Is and How It Works 

A hybrid annuity is a combination of an annuity and long-term care insurance. With a hybrid annuity, you pay a single premium or series of premiums into the annuity. The annuity grows over time, offering a stream of income or a lump sum when needed. What sets hybrid annuities apart from traditional options is that they come with a long-term care rider that allows you to use the value of the annuity for long-term care expenses if necessary. 

The Equitrust Bridge annuity, for example, is a hybrid annuity product designed to provide both an income stream and long-term care coverage. This annuity is particularly attractive because it has guaranteed underwriting, meaning nearly everyone who applies for the product can qualify, regardless of their health status. Traditional LTC policies often reject applicants due to health concerns. Hybrid long-term care annuities like the Equitrust Bridge provide coverage even to those with pre-existing conditions, albeit with different levels of benefits depending on underwriting results. 

Key Features of the Equitrust Bridge Hybrid Annuity 

The Equitrust Bridge annuity stands out for its flexibility and benefits, which make it an appealing option for retirement planning and long-term care. Here are some of its most important features: 

• Guaranteed Issue: The annuity offers coverage to virtually everyone. Although there is minimal underwriting involved, the product is designed so that anyone can qualify, even those who might not otherwise be able to secure traditional long-term care insurance. 

• Tax Advantages: One of the greatest advantages of the Equitrust Bridge annuity is its potential tax benefits, especially if you’re using non-qualified annuities (those funded with after-tax dollars). In many cases, the earnings on annuities are taxed as ordinary income, but with a hybrid LTC annuity, the funds used for long-term care can be accessed tax-free. This is a major plus for anyone with a significant amount of gain in their annuity and looking to offset long-term care costs. 

• Rider Charges and Coverage: Like many insurance products, the Equitrust Bridge comes with rider charges, which are fees for adding the long-term care benefit to the annuity. However, the product offers enhanced coverage ratios for long-term care benefits, which can increase the value of the original deposit by up to 300% or more, depending on age and underwriting class. 

• 2% Growth on Long-Term Care Benefit: The long-term care benefit base grows annually by 2%, providing inflation protection. This means that the longer you wait to use the benefits, the more they grow, increasing your available long-term care coverage over time. 

• Vesting Schedule: The Equitrust Bridge annuity has a vesting schedule, meaning that full access to the LTC benefits takes time. For example, while some benefits are available in the first few years, the full long-term care benefit becomes available after about five years. This encourages long-term planning and ensures the annuity is utilized wisely. 

Why Consider a Hybrid Long-Term Care Annuity? 

So, why would someone choose a hybrid annuity over a traditional LTC policy or another type of retirement product? Here are a few reasons: 

1. Flexibility: With a hybrid annuity, you’re not just buying insurance. You’re investing in a product that can generate income while simultaneously providing long-term care coverage if needed. If you don’t end up needing long-term care, you can still receive income from the annuity or pass on the remaining value to your heirs. 

1. Tax Efficiency: One of the standout features of the Equitrust Bridge is the potential for tax-free withdrawals when used for long-term care. This is especially beneficial for those who have large, appreciated non-qualified annuities that would otherwise be subject to hefty taxes upon withdrawal. 

1. Predictability: Hybrid long-term care products offer more stability than traditional LTC insurance, which can increase premiums or offer little value if unused. With a hybrid annuity, you can be confident that your investment is protected and will offer returns either in the form of long-term care benefits or income. 

1. Guaranteed Issue: For many, the guaranteed issue aspect of hybrid annuities is crucial. Even if you have health issues, you can still secure long-term care coverage, something that might not be possible with traditional policies. 

Long-Term Care Costs Are Rising — Are You Ready? 

According to recent studies, the cost of long-term care continues to rise. Depending on where you live, expenses for a semi-private room in a nursing home can range from $3,000 to $8,000 per month or more. Preparing for this possibility is essential for anyone planning for a secure retirement. The hybrid annuity, with its combination of long-term care benefits and tax advantages, is an excellent way to ensure that you have the financial resources to manage these costs without depleting your savings. 

As you think about how to plan for retirement and how to cover long-term care, consider the hybrid annuity as a valuable tool in your retirement portfolio. It can provide peace of mind, financial flexibility, and the potential to preserve your wealth, even in the face of future care needs. 

If you have a question from this blog, we offer a complimentary phone call that you can schedule with us on our website. If we can’t answer all your questions in just 15 minutes, we’ll guide you to the next steps to find the answers you need. 

Schedule your complimentary call to learn more about Long-Term Care Solutions: Hybrid Annuity.