A retirement plan represents decades of work and careful saving. Yet one of the biggest risks to those savings is the cost of long term care. Many people believe Medicare will cover these expenses, but it does not. Medicare may help with short-term skilled nursing, but not with daily personal assistance or home care.

Many people assume that if they ever need help at home, they will simply hire a caregiver or use savings to pay for it. But when you look at the actual cost of care in California, those savings can disappear faster than most people realize. Planning ahead with the right insurance can make all the difference in keeping your independence, dignity, and financial security.

When it comes to planning for future care, most people fall into one of two camps. Some believe they will simply pay for care out of savings if the time comes. Others look into insurance designed for long-term care. On the surface, paying out of pocket may seem simpler. But the reality is more complicated. The cost of care can grow quickly, and the impact on your family and your retirement can be greater than you expect.

As we get closer to retirement, many of us start thinking about how our savings will last and whether our money will truly support the lifestyle we want. Retirement planning is not just about stashing away funds in a 401(k) or IRA. It is about creating an income strategy that helps us sleep better at night, knowing our bills will be covered and our loved ones protected no matter what life brings. One powerful tool that often gets overlooked in this conversation is insurance.

When a loved one begins to need help with daily activities, many families feel an instinctive pull to step in and provide care themselves. It’s a compassionate and loving response, but one that often comes with hidden costs. Becoming a family caregiver may seem like the right thing to do emotionally, but financially, it can be life-altering. As healthcare needs grow and longevity increases, so does the demand on family members, especially in a state like California where the cost of care in cities like Los Angeles continues to climb.

​Many people assume that as they age, Medicare or regular health insurance will cover the costs of long-term care. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Medicare only provides limited short-term care under specific conditions, and traditional health insurance doesn’t cover ongoing assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or meal preparation. As a result, individuals and families are often left scrambling to figure out how to pay for home health aides, assisted living, or nursing home care when the need arises.

Most people believe they’ll never need Long Term Care (LTC). Others assume they’ve saved enough to cover a short period of care. It’s a common mindset—after all, no one likes to imagine themselves needing help with basic daily activities. However, this way of thinking can leave you unprepared for the future.