Millennials are victims of many stereotypes, but the one that portrays them positively suggests they're a planning generation. They research and collaborate and plan for all life's major decisions, and their long-term care (LTC) isn't any different. In part, millennials have learned about personal finances by observing the mistakes and shortcomings of older generations and plan to make changes.
Where Millennials stand according to Genworth:
- 69% of Millennials agree that the responsibility of providing LTC for parents or grandparents will fall on them.
- 56% of Millennials believe they'll plan for LTC better than previous generations, mainly because they're more aware of the challenges and believe that government programs won't be available.1
If your children are Millennials, or perhaps you’re a part of this generation, start planning!
- Review LTC experiences from the perspective of Millennials, parents, and grandparents. Focus on the financial and caregiving pressures LTC placed within your own family.
- Considering that 70% of Americans who reach age 65 will need some care, it makes sense to reinforce the rising cost of LTC. Today's U.S. median annual costs are $51,600 for an assisted living facility and $105,850 for a private nursing home arrangement. By 2060 these costs could reach $168,321 and $345,287 respectively.2
- Research confirms that it's never too soon to begin making plans, and typically coverage is more affordable at younger ages when your health is better.
Millennials look at LTC planning by understanding the math behind it rather than as another financial product.
For example, purchasing LTC riders along with permanent life insurance products will advance part of the policy's death benefit to pay for LTC. With this option, the financial burden no longer lands on the child caregiver. Another planning strategy is to ramp up your contributions in retirement plans such as IRAs and 401(k)s. Investing and building wealth now puts you in a favorable position when you need to start paying for care.
By thinking of long-term care as more personal than financial, Millennials should celebrate their planning stereotype and continue planning now for what's going to come tomorrow. If you need information or have questions, our financial professionals are ready to help.
---
This document is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. One should consult a legal or tax professional regarding their own personal situation. Any comments regarding safe and secure investments and guaranteed income streams refer only to fixed insurance products offered by an insurance company. They do not refer in any way to securities or investment advisory products Insurance policy applications are vetted through an underwriting process set forth by the issuing insurance company. Some applications may not be accepted based upon adverse underwriting results. Death benefit payouts are based upon the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company. The firm providing this document is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration or any other government entity.
By clicking on these links, you will leave our server, as they are located on another server. We have not independently verified the information available through this link. The link is provided to you as a matter of interest. Please click on the links below to leave and proceed to the selected site.
2 https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html