How Much Does Long Term Care Insurance Cost?
A typical traditional LTC policy runs roughly $1,700–$3,100 per year for a single 55-year-old man and $2,700–$5,000+ for a 55-year-old woman (about $165,000 initial benefit with growth), based on American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance price indexes. Premiums climb steeply with purchase age and are higher for women, who claim more often.
Typical annual premiums by purchase age
Illustrative ranges for a benefit pool starting around $165,000 with inflation growth, drawn from published AALTCI price index data. Your quotes will differ by state, health class, and design — treat these as scale, not price tags.
| Purchase age | Single man | Single woman | Couple (combined) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | ~$1,600–$2,700/yr | ~$2,400–$4,300/yr | ~$3,500–$5,800/yr |
| 55 | ~$1,700–$3,100/yr | ~$2,700–$5,000/yr | ~$3,900–$6,500/yr |
| 60 | ~$2,000–$3,700/yr | ~$3,100–$6,000/yr | ~$4,500–$7,900/yr |
| 65 | ~$2,600–$4,800/yr | ~$4,200–$7,800/yr | ~$6,100–$10,500/yr |
| 70 | ~$3,500–$6,500+/yr | ~$5,700–$10,000+/yr | ~$8,500–$14,000+/yr |
What moves the price most
- Age and health at purchase — the two factors you can't negotiate later; declined health can end eligibility entirely
- Inflation protection — 5% compound can double a premium vs. 3%; it's also the feature that makes benefits meaningful decades later
- Benefit period — moving from 3 to 5 years raises cost far less than doubling the daily benefit
- Elimination period — 90 days is the price sweet spot; 30-day designs cost sharply more
- Gender and marital status — women pay 40–80% more standalone; couples get 15–30% discounts (couples options)
Compare against the cost of care itself
National medians run roughly $6,000+/month for a full-time home health aide, about $5,900/month for assisted living, and $9,700–$10,600+/month for a nursing home room (Genworth Cost of Care Survey; your metro will vary). One year of uncovered nursing care can exceed 25 years of premiums — the arithmetic behind whether coverage is worth it.
Frequently asked questions
How much is long term care insurance per month?
Why do women pay more for long term care insurance?
Does long term care insurance get more expensive as I age?
What is the cheapest way to get long term care coverage?
Ready for real numbers? Premiums vary widely by age, health, and state. Comparing personalized quotes from multiple carriers is the only way to know what you'd actually pay.
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