John Myers, MBA, CFP®, Woodwell Asset Management

267-460-8246 or 800-220-6033 / john.myers@jwcemail.com

 

 

Long Term Care A challenge for boomers

As tens of millions of Boomers approach retirement, their most pressing challenge is to maintain their lifestyles and independence. In part, this may require an approach to investing retirement assets that offers some protection against investment losses during retirement, if not guaranteeing a measure of lifetime income. While this objective is a good one, it's also incomplete in terms of total protection.

It's incomplete because an accident or unplanned change in health may require long-term care. If that happens, plans, hopes, dreams and savings could quickly go up in smoke.

Simply stated, guarding against the costs of unplanned long term care should be a primary concern for Boomers. The reason is clear. After age 65, the need for some form of long term care will affect about two-thirds of us*.

*Source: The Role of Private insurance in Financing Long-Term Care, Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, September 2007

Long Term Care Expressions of concern U.S. Representative John Dingell remarked that "The cost of long-term care can be catastrophic for Americans and their families."

And his colleague Representative John Shimkus said, "Long-term care can be financially devastating."

Source: John D. Dingell (D-MI) and John Shimkus (R-IL), statements before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing entitled "Long-Term Care Insurance: Are Consumers Protected for the Long-Term?" July 24, 2008.