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Home, Health & Care Protection
Long-Term Care Planning: Preparing for the Cost of Care
Insurance-based ways to prepare for the cost of extended care later in life.
What it is
Long-Term Care Planning in plain language.
Insurance-based ways to prepare for the cost of extended care, such as life insurance policies that include long-term care or chronic illness riders.
What it does not do
These options are not health insurance or Medicare, and a rider on a life policy is not always equivalent to stand-alone long-term care insurance.
Who might consider it
People thinking ahead about care needs who would prefer that cost not fall on their family.
How it generally works
Some life insurance policies offer riders that let the insured draw on the death benefit to help pay for qualifying care. Benefits usually depend on being unable to perform certain daily activities, or on cognitive impairment, as the policy defines them.
Premiums and eligibility are set by the insurance carrier, usually based on factors such as age, health, the amount of coverage and the features of the policy. Some policies require a medical exam and others rely on health questions; requirements vary by carrier.
Worth knowing
Benefit triggers, limits and waiting periods differ widely between policies. Not every option is available in every state.
Common questions
Long-Term Care Planning: questions people ask.
When do people start thinking about this?
Many people look at it well before retirement, because eligibility and cost generally depend on age and health at the time of application.
Does using a care rider affect my beneficiaries?
Yes. Amounts paid for care generally reduce the death benefit.
Is this the same as long-term care insurance?
No. A care or chronic illness rider on a life policy works differently from a stand-alone long-term care policy. The differences are worth understanding before choosing.
Have a question about long-term care planning that is not answered here?
Keep reading
Related solutions and guides.
Living Benefits
Policy features that may allow early access to part of the benefit after a qualifying serious illness.
Read the guide → SolutionRetirement Income
Insurance-based options, such as annuities, that some people consider when planning retirement income.
Read the guide →Last updated November 2026. Reviewed by [Licensed reviewer name and credentials]. Product availability varies by state and carrier. All coverage is subject to carrier underwriting and approval; features, premiums, exclusions and riders depend on the specific policy. This page is general education, not a recommendation for your situation.
Important information. This page describes a type of insurance in general terms. It is not a description of any specific policy. Benefits, premiums, exclusions, limitations and riders depend on the policy issued and vary by carrier and state. Read the policy for full details. Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Accelerated benefit riders are not health insurance, disability insurance or long-term care insurance. Riders may not be available on all policies or in all states and may carry an additional cost. Receiving an accelerated benefit reduces the death benefit, may be taxable, and may affect eligibility for public assistance programs. Consult a tax advisor before making a claim. DNA Life & Legacy and its agents do not give tax or legal advice. Please consult your own tax or legal professional about your situation.
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