03 May Younger buyers buying asset-based LTC

The sale of asset-based long-term care insurance protection continues to grow significantly, reveals research by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.

More than half (53%) of male LTC buyers were under age 65, up from 48% in a prior year’s study, while women buyers under age 65 also increased to 50%, up from 44%, according to data gathered from  insurers.

Meanwhile, premiums increased nearly 20% and the number of covered lives increased 13.5%.

“We expect the sale of asset-based or linked LTC products will continue to grow as they offer some highly attractive benefits to a category of buyers looking to protect their retirement savings,” says Jesse Slome, AALTCI’s director. “The growth of sales will only continue as more large players enter the marketplace.”

In 2011 the study finds that the initial single premium face amount of policies purchased was $100,000 or greater for 73% of new policies. Meanwhile, 96% of new life and LTC policies issued did not include a benefit increase option that bumped up available benefits to keep pace with inflationary growth of costs. Additionally the study of traditional individual LTC insurance policy sales finds that in 2011 some 96% included a growth option.

“At a time when long-term care is increasingly top of mind, these life insurance-based solutions avoid the ‘use it or lose it’ risk associated with traditional long term care insurance,” says Chris Coudret, vice president of OneAmerica. “In most cases, people make a single payment, effectively removing the risk of future premium increases.”

By Marli D. Riggs