Contained within the just-signed SECURE Act 2.0 is a provision that potentially benefits those considering the purchase of long-term care insurance. While any legislation that includes some incentive to purchase LTC insurance should be seen in a positive light, it is my belief that in the absence of change this legislation will likely be of little value. I hate to throw a wet blanket over any legislation that seems to give long-time LTCi advocates a glimmer of hope today. And, after decades of advocating for the importance of an often-maligned…
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Tips For Agents Marketing Medicare Solutions In A Recession
A slight variation of the old joke goes, what’s the difference between a recession and a depression. The answer is simple, when my portfolio is down 30% it’s a depression; when yours is down it’s only a recession. Ask most Medicare eligible seniors and chances are you’ll hear worries about their current financial situation. And while consumer confidence rose for a second straight month in September, the nation’s collective mood is concerned. Markets rise and fall. Recessions come and then they pass. Consumer confidence measures a rather specific set of…
Read MoreGood Time for Agents to Look Into Long-Term Care Annuities With Equity Performance Potential
It’s not news that the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index have both plummeted since the beginning of the year. Consumers are understandably worried. Financial advisors and insurance agents are fielding calls from clients concerned about what’s to come. When financial markets decline and uncertainty pervades, it is logical the consumers are wary about big ticket purchases. And, admittedly, long-term care insurance today can be considered one of those big-ticket purchases. LTC is a ‘should have’ rather than a ‘must-have’ purchase. When stock markets…
Read MoreLatest Long-Term Care Insurance Data Can Help Agents Marketing LTC Solutions
The latest examination of long-term care insurance applicants can help agents communicate the importance of timely planning. One of the reasons individuals do not pursue long-term care insurance planning information is the general sense that coverage can be obtained at any age. It makes logical sense in their minds to wait until a need is relatively imminent. As many consumers will tell you, why pay for something I may never need or won’t need for many years? Agents marketing traditional and linked benefit long-term care solutions have lacked relevant and…
Read MoreNew States Add Medicare Supplement Birthday Rules
Insurance agents competing to sell Medicare Supplement insurance in five states can now capitalize on rules benefiting Medicare beneficiaries. According to the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance (AAMSI), the five states include California, Illinois, Oregon, Nevada and Idaho. “Medicare insurance agents now face a daunting task of competing with the millions of dollars being spent on television ads featuring celebrity spokespeople,” explains Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance. “Survival of the independent Medicare insurance agent will depend on the ability to take advantage of…
Read MoreLinked-Benefit Long-Term Care Video Library Launched By AALTCI
Sales of linked-benefit long-term care insurance continue to outpace traditional long-term care policies. A new video library will provide meaningful information to prospective buyers. “There is enormous interest in linked benefit long-term care,” states Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance director. “Judging by the consumer inquiries we receive, there are also many misconceptions and some flawed information that we wanted to address.” The Association has just launched an online video library that will consist of short informative videos focused specifically on hybrid or linked-benefit long-term…
Read MoreLong-Term Care Insurance Association Releases Linked-Benefit Price Index
A 55-year-old male should expect to pay around $5,300 annually for an average linked-benefit long-term care insurance policy according to the just-published Price Index. The first price analysis comparing leading linked-benefit insurance costs and benefits was recently published by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. “Linked-benefit long-term care insurance combines the benefits of a life insurance policy with a rider that can provide long-term care benefits,” explains Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. “These policies now outsell traditional long-term care insurance making it time for us to…
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