The risk most retirement plans quietly ignore
Most people who reach 65 will need some form of long-term care — and Medicare doesn’t cover most of it. We help retirees across Volusia County build a plan before a health event forces the family to make big decisions under pressure.
The topic people most want to avoid
It involves aging, disability, family dynamics, and large dollar figures — so most retirees don’t plan for it, and most advisors don’t push it. A few realities worth sitting with:
- Around-the-clock nursing care runs well into six figures a year in Florida
- Home care — what most people prefer — is still a major annual expense
- Medicare covers limited skilled nursing, not extended custodial care
- Medicaid pays only after most assets have been spent down
- A care event for one spouse can strain the whole retirement plan
- The surviving spouse usually pays the price, not the one who needed care
Educational and planning-focused
Steven holds the CLTC® designation. Not everyone needs LTC insurance — the point is to know which category you’re in.
Honest needs assessment
We look at your situation, assets, family, and preferences. Some households are positioned to self-fund; the point is knowing which one you are.
Funding strategy comparison
Four main paths, weighed against your assets, health, and goals — so the choice fits your situation, not a sales quota.
Carrier & policy comparison
If insurance is right, we compare carriers, benefit periods, daily benefits, inflation riders, and elimination periods.
Integration with your income plan
We connect your LTC strategy to the BIG Bucket Framework so premium dollars come from the right place and care dollars are there when needed.
There’s no universal right answer
The right path depends on your assets, your health, and your goals.
Traditional LTC insurance
Premiums in exchange for coverage if care is needed. Richer benefits per dollar — but rates can rise over time.
Hybrid life or annuity
Premiums that build cash value and fund care via an LTC rider — or pass to heirs as a death benefit if never used.
Self-funding
Earmark a dedicated portion of your assets. Works for higher-net-worth households willing to set the money aside.
Medicaid planning
Typically a last resort, and one that requires an attorney. We coordinate but do not handle the legal work.
You walk away with
- A written LTC needs assessment specific to your household
- A side-by-side of traditional, hybrid, and self-funded strategies
- A carrier comparison, if an insurance solution is appropriate
- A spousal continuation view so the surviving spouse isn’t exposed
- Coordination with your estate attorney if Medicaid planning applies
This delivers the most value if you
- Are 50 to 70 — before insurability becomes a problem
- Are married and want to protect the healthy spouse
- Hold $500,000 to $3 million in investable assets
- Are watching a parent go through it right now
- Are a surviving spouse thinking about your own future care
- Are a Northeast transplant whose children live far away
If that sounds like you, the next step is a 45-minute conversation. No charge, no pressure.
Three simple steps
Call or book
Call (386) 402-4626 or schedule online.
Discovery meeting
Free, about 45 minutes. We review your accounts, any existing policies, and your concerns around long-term care.
Strategy review
If we’re a fit, you receive a written LTC strategy as part of your engagement. No pressure to buy on day one.
Long-term care questions
Why not just rely on Medicare?
Medicare covers short-term skilled nursing or rehab after a qualifying hospital stay — not extended custodial care. The help-with-daily-living, dementia, and in-home care most people need long-term falls outside what Medicare pays.
How much does long-term care cost in Florida?
It varies widely by setting and amount of care. Skilled nursing is the most expensive and can run well into six figures a year; home care is lower but still meaningful, with assisted living in between. These costs have historically risen faster than general inflation.
Traditional LTC insurance or hybrid — which is better?
Neither universally. Traditional policies often offer richer benefits per premium dollar but carry rate-increase risk. Hybrids cost more up front but lock the premium, build cash value, and pay a death benefit if you never need care. The right answer depends on your assets, cash flow, and how you feel about “use it or lose it.”
Am I too old to buy LTC insurance?
Maybe. Most carriers underwrite into the late 60s or early 70s, with health and family history weighing heavily. Buying between 55 and 65 often balances insurability and cost well — but the right time depends on your health and finances. If insurance is off the table, we focus on self-funding and Medicaid coordination.
What if I’m not insurable?
We’ll tell you. If health issues take traditional and hybrid off the table, planning shifts to self-funding from a dedicated portion of your portfolio and, if necessary, Medicaid coordination with your attorney.
Does Medicaid cover long-term care?
Yes, but only after most assets have been spent down or restructured under specific legal rules. Medicaid planning typically requires an estate attorney; we coordinate with attorneys when it becomes relevant.
Do you work with people outside New Smyrna Beach?
Yes — Edgewater, Port Orange, Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, DeLand, Deltona, Palm Coast, Sanford, and the rest of Volusia County.
Plan before a health event forces the family to plan in a crisis.
Schedule a free 45-minute review, or call our New Smyrna Beach office.
Office: 112 N. Orange Street, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 · Mon–Fri, 9:00–5:00
Investment advisory services are offered by Signal Advisors Wealth, LLC (“Signal Wealth”), a Registered Investment Adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Steven L. Rich is an Investment Adviser Representative of Signal Wealth. Insurance products and services are offered through New Smyrna Beach Retirement Solutions (“NSBRS”), which is not affiliated with Signal Wealth. When NSBRS and/or its agents recommend or sell insurance products they are not acting on behalf of Signal Wealth or in a fiduciary capacity. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Advisors may receive commissions and other compensation for the sale of insurance and annuity products. The written needs assessment is a planning document for informational purposes and does not constitute a formal insurance proposal or legal advice. This is for informational purposes only and is not investment, tax, or legal advice; consult your qualified tax professional or attorney regarding your situation.