Long-Term Care Calculator
Project what long-term care will cost when you need it. Compare self-insure vs buying an LTC policy with breakpoint analysis, and build a funding strategy with HSA tax advantages. Based on 2026 Genworth Cost of Care Survey data.
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How to Use This Calculator
Cost Projector tab
The default tab. Select your care type (nursing home, assisted living, or home health aide), enter your current age and planned care age. The calculator projects what that care will cost when you need it, using LTC-specific inflation (~5%/yr). Expand "More options" to adjust your region and inflation rate. Today's $116,800/yr nursing home could cost $500,000+ in 30 years.
Self-Insure vs Policy tab
Compare two strategies head-to-head: buying an LTC insurance policy vs. investing the premium amount yourself. See total premiums paid to age 85, policy coverage value with inflation rider, and the self-insure fund you would build by investing premiums instead. Includes breakpoint analysis showing when each strategy wins.
Funding Strategy tab
Build a concrete savings plan. Enter your current savings earmarked for LTC, monthly contribution, and expected return. See your projected fund size, how it compares to projected care costs, and the coverage gap. Includes HSA funding option with age-based LTC premium deduction limits.
Share your result
Every input is encoded in the URL. Click Share to send your exact scenario to a spouse, financial advisor, or elder law attorney.
The Formula
Long-term care costs grow faster than general inflation. The core projection formulas:
Total Care Cost = Sum of (Annual Cost × (1 + Inflation)^year) for each year of care
Self-Insure Fund = Annual Premium invested at Return% for N years (compound growth)
Policy Coverage = Daily Benefit × (1 + Rider%)^Years × 365 × Benefit Period
LTC Fund = Current Savings × (1 + r)^n + Monthly × ((1 + r)^n - 1) / r
LTC costs have historically inflated at ~5% per year, significantly faster than the ~2-3% general CPI. A nursing home costing $116,800/yr today could cost $505,000/yr in 30 years at 5% inflation. This is why early planning matters — the compounding works both for your investments and against you on costs.
Example
Barbara & Tom — both 55, planning in the Northeast
They want to understand LTC costs 25 years from now and compare insurance vs self-insuring. Northeast region (1.15x multiplier).
Cost Projector
Self-Insure vs Policy
The policy provides $471K in coverage for $120K in premiums — 3.9x leverage. Self-insuring yields $220K, which Barbara keeps if she never needs care. The trade-off: the policy protects against catastrophic 5+ year care needs where self-insurance would be depleted.
Hybrid LTC / life insurance alternative
A hybrid policy combines life insurance with LTC benefits. If Barbara needs care, the LTC benefit pays out. If she never needs care, Tom receives a death benefit. Premiums are typically fixed and guaranteed. These policies have become increasingly popular as standalone LTC carriers have raised rates 40-60% on existing policyholders.