As the year winds down and the holidays fill the air with cheer, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and plan ahead. For many clients, that means thinking not only about financial goals for the year ahead but also about how to protect themselves and their loved ones from the unexpected costs of future care.
This season, as families gather and gratitude takes center stage, there’s no better time to start a conversation about extended care planning.
Read More: Close the Year Strong: Add Long-Term Care to Your Planning Checklist
The Power of Planning During the Holidays
The end of the year is a natural moment for reflection. Clients are reviewing finances, benefits, and goals, and those conversations create the perfect opening to discuss how extended care coverage fits into a broader financial strategy. Encourage clients to plan now so they can step into 2026 with confidence, knowing they’ve taken steps to safeguard their independence, assets, and family’s well-being.
Extended Care Options to Fit Every Client
Every client’s situation is unique, which is why offering a range of extended care solutions can make all the difference. Here are a few options that may be the right fit, depending on each client’s goals and budget:
Short-Term Care Insurance
For clients looking for affordable, flexible coverage, short-term care insurance can provide benefits for up to one year of care. It’s ideal for those who want protection but may not qualify for traditional long-term care coverage, or those who simply want a smaller, more manageable policy. It also pairs well with Medicare benefits.
- Typically easier underwriting
- Lower premiums
- Quick benefit payout options
Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance
Traditional LTCI policies remain a cornerstone of extended care planning, providing comprehensive protection against the rising cost of care, whether at home, in assisted living, or in a skilled nursing facility.
- Customized benefit periods and coverage levels
- Tax advantages (potentially tax-deductible premiums)
- Designed purely for care needs, offering robust daily and lifetime benefit options
Hybrid Long-Term Care Insurance (Life + LTC or Annuity + LTC)
For clients concerned about “use it or lose it,” hybrid LTCI products combine life insurance or annuities with long-term care benefits. This option ensures that even if extended care is never needed, the policy still delivers value through a death benefit or cash value.
- Guaranteed benefits (either care coverage or death benefit)
- Flexible funding options (single pay, limited pay, or ongoing premiums)
- Protection against premium increases typical of traditional LTCI policies
Framing Extended Care as a “Gift”
This season, remind clients that planning for extended care is truly a gift. It’s one that provides lasting comfort, choice, and control for themselves and their families. By helping clients understand their options now, you’re empowering them to start 2026 with the peace of mind that comes from preparation.
Read More: How to Initiate Meaningful Conversations Around LTC Planning
Spreading Cheer and Security Into 2026
As agents and advisors, your role is more than offering coverage; it’s offering confidence. The holidays give us a chance to connect on a personal level, combining heartfelt conversations with meaningful financial planning.
So, as you share your year-end greetings, consider this message: “The best gift you can give your loved ones is peace of mind for the future. Let’s make 2026 the year of thoughtful and confident extended care planning.”
Ready to help your clients protect what matters most? Book a call today to discuss how short-term care, traditional LTCI, and hybrid solutions can fit seamlessly into your clients’ 2026 financial plans.