When imagining the perfect retirement, most people dream about travel, hobbies, or time spent with loved ones. That’s certainly more fun than planning for long-term care. However, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, roughly 56% of adults aged 65 and older will need some form of long-term care during their lifetime.

It’s a fact: More Americans are moving when they retire. According to a 2024 study by Hire a Helper (a moving company), 339,000 American retirees moved in 2023. Following a COVID-19 slump in 2021 and 2022, this number represented a significant shift back towards moving.

Choosing long-term care insurance? Learn the 3 key features to evaluate—coverage options, cost considerations, and policy flexibility—to protect your future and make informed decisions.

Healthcare is bound to be one of your biggest expenses in retirement. As your needs increase with age, so do your costs, and if you’re not prepared, you could be left trying to figure out how to pay for it all.

Long-term care (LTC)–sometimes called extended care–describes the care an individual needs if they can no longer perform basic daily routines (eating, bathing, dressing, etc.) on their own due to preexisting conditions, disabilities, or frailty.