Tax-Free Withdraws from IRAs to Pay for Long-Term Care Insurance

A Senate subcommittee hearing on Alzheimer’s awareness placed a focus on the impact Alzheimer’s has on American families. While there is little debate about long-term care costs and its impact on American families, how to address this growing longevity problem has always been an issue.

In his opening statement, Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) announced his proposed legislation which would allow those with qualified retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs to pay for Long-Term Care Insurance on a tax-free basis.

Toomey said most American families do not have enough savings to cover the average cost of a typical long-term care situation which includes care at home or a facility due to a chronic illness.

Financial Impact of Long-Term Care Can Be Devastating

"A large number of middle-class families face financial ruin," about the high costs of long-term care and its impact on American families.

Sen. Pat Toomey

Toomey said Long-Term Care Insurance can be a viable option but only 17% of Americans currently have a policy. Younger and healthier people should consider buying policies. 

"Congress ought to consider legislation to make it easier for families who are planning ahead to buy Long-Term Care policies." 

Sen. Pat Toomey

401(k)s Source for Premiums

He noted that some people can use their 401(k)s to buy life insurance and that similar treatment should be given to Long-Term Care Insurance.

His proposal would allow consumers ages 50-59 the ability to withdraw up to $2,000 annually from qualified retirement assets to pay for Long-Term Care Insurance premiums.

People require long-term care due to illness, accident, or the impact of aging, which includes supervision and other health issues due to cognitive decline. In his opening statement, Dr. Marc A. Cohen, Ph.D., Clinical Professor of Gerontology, McCormack Graduate School, UMass Boston, said that the costs of long-term care are staggering and are driven due to a growing population in need.

“While Alzheimer’s and related dementias represent among the most costly long-term care liabilities -- costing the nation over $290 billion, of which out-of-pocket costs will total $62 billion or 22% of the total -- individuals with functional impairments also face significant financial exposure.  In fact, the total cost of providing long-term care services and supports (LTSS) to the current cohort of individuals age 65 and over – including a valuation of care provided by family members – will exceed $6.3 trillion.  Slightly less than half of these costs will be incurred over the next decade alone.” 

 Dr. Marc A. Cohen, Ph.D.

Dr. Cohen explained that long-term care costs represent the single largest financial risk faced by older adults and their families.

Meaningful Role for Long-Term Care Insurance

He said that private Long-Term Care Insurance needs to be more attractive and appeal to consumers. He encouraged actions to positively influence further growth in the Long-Term Care Insurance market to assure that private insurance plays a more meaningful role in financing care.  

Committee member Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) wondered what other steps could be taken to encourage the purchase of private insurance. He recalled his father being in the insurance business and purchasing insurance coverage.

Casey said a lack of awareness could be one of the contributing reasons more people don’t purchase Long-Term Care Insurance and don’t take advantage of the ability to use pre-tax money from Health Savings Accounts to purchase Long-Term Care Insurance. He indicated that often people say they won’t think about it because they have more pressing needs at that time.

Dr. Cohen agreed awareness was a concern but said people need to understand that lack of insurance coverage would expose them to the spend-down of their assets and the subsequent access to Medicaid’s long-term care benefit.

“There is clearly a large gap in the market, which long-term care insurance can fill.” 

CEO Kevin Mayeux, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and President Susan Neely, American Council of Life Insurers in a written statement for the record.

Long-Term Care Insurance, including hybrid and combination life insurance or annuity products, safeguard savings and income from the costs of long-term care. A study published in the journal Health Affairs projects that 27 million Americans will require long-term care by 2050.

Two key recommendations made by the groups include:

• A national educational campaign to inform consumers about the need for and benefits of Long-Term Care Insurance
• Tax incentives to expand consumer access to Long-Term Care Insurance through workplace and retirement plans

Dr. Jason Karlawish, Professor of Medicine, Medical Ethics and Health Policy, and Neurology, and Co-Director, Penn Memory Center at the University of Pennsylvania said when we ask daughters and sometimes sons to be caregivers, they lose wages, they lack health insurance, and they are not contributing to the economy anymore.

“Not contributing to a productive America anymore … working as unpaid workers to take care of a family member.” 

Dr. Jason Karlawish, Professor of Medicine, Medical Ethics and Health Policy

Alzheimer’s Presents Enormous Challenges

Committee member Sen Bob Menendez (D-NJ) spoke about his mother who suffered from Alzheimer’s for 18 years.

“Alzheimer’s presents our nation with enormous healthcare and fiscal challenges but it takes a tremendous toll on every family that is forced to confront it.” 

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)

A leading Long-Term Care Insurance marketer, Matt McCann, said in a statement for the record that too many people assume Long-Term Care Insurance is expensive.

“The fact remains that for many American’s Long-Term Care Insurance is an affordable way to address the financial costs and burdens that come with longevity and its related health problems. More public awareness is also essential. Too many people are unaware of the Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership Program in which 45 states participate. This allows a family to purchase a plan which matches their savings which makes the policies even more affordable.” 

Matt McCann, Long-Term Care Insurance marketer

Sen. Toomey’s proposal, if it became law, could encourage more people to plan ahead. As discussions on the Hill will continue, the need for a long-term care plan still exists affecting American’s families and their finances.