NAIFA's Limited and Extended Care Planning Collective(LECP)

Why Long-Term Care Belongs on Your Year-End Planning Checklist

Written by The Krause Agency | 12/5/25 4:30 PM

As the year winds down, advisors and clients focus on taxes, retirement contributions, and portfolio reviews. But one critical topic often gets overlooked: long-term care planning.

Discussing long-term care (LTC) before year-end helps clients start the new year with a more complete, secure plan. The best time to plan is before care is needed, when clients still have control, options, and time on their side.

Mary Sizemore, CLTC, LTCCP 
Insurance Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Krause Agency

 

Why Year-End Is the Perfect Time to Discuss LTC

The end of the year is already a time for financial reflection. Clients are reviewing goals, budgets, and insurance, making it the ideal moment to discuss how potential care costs fit into their broader plan. A year-end LTC conversation allows advisors to:

  • Evaluate savings and cash flow for care costs
  • Review existing insurance coverage
  • Coordinate LTC strategies with tax and estate planning

It’s a natural extension of the work you’re already doing.

The Cost of Waiting to Plan

Delaying LTC planning can be expensive. Costs continue to rise annually, and waiting until their health declines can limit your clients’ options and increase premiums. Addressing it early helps clients:

  • Lock in lower rates while healthy
  • Access more coverage choices
  • Avoid crisis-driven, reactive decisions

Reframing the LTC Conversation

LTC planning isn’t about fear—it’s about empowerment. Instead of focusing on “what if,” focus on control and choice:

  • “How would you want your care to look?”
  • “Who would you trust to make decisions for you?”
  • “Would you prefer to receive care at home or in a facility?”

This shift helps clients see LTC planning as an act of independence, not anxiety.

Flexible Ways to Fund Care

Not every client needs a large policy. Even modest coverage can make a difference. Advisors can explore:

  • Hybrid life insurance with LTC riders
  • Annuities with care benefits
  • Short-term care insurance
  • HSAs for tax-efficient funding

The goal: tailor protection to each client’s needs and budget.

A Strong Finish for a Stronger Future

Ending the year with a long-term care discussion helps clients enter the new year confident and prepared. It reinforces your role as a holistic advisor and gives clients the peace of mind that comes from knowing their future and their family are protected.