More retirees will need long-term care than most people expect — and the bills can quickly erase savings. This guide looks at the top long-term care insurance providers to consider in October 2025, explains how policies work, and highlights which carriers are best for seniors, couples, high benefit limits, inflation protection and customer service. Read the quick comparisons, real-world examples, and practical steps to choose coverage that fits your budget and health outlook.
Why long-term care insurance matters in 2025: costs and coverage essentials
More than half of Americans over 65 will eventually need help with basic activities such as bathing or dressing, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Care costs keep rising: a year in a nursing home averaged about $100,000 in recent reports, while in-home care can run roughly $60,000 a year.
- Protect savings — LTC policies shield retirement assets from long care stays.
- Stay at home longer — many plans cover in-home aides and modifications.
- Tax and partnership benefits — premiums can sometimes be tax-deductible and count toward Medicaid partnership rules.
Example: Helen, a 62-year-old former schoolteacher, used a hybrid policy to fund home modifications and in-home aides when mobility declined. Her policy let the family avoid selling assets and kept her in familiar surroundings.
Key insight: even if you never use a policy, the peace of mind and potential asset protection often justify early consideration.
How long-term care insurance works: policy types, triggers and what’s covered
Long-term care insurance pays for assistance when a chronic condition or disability prevents someone from performing basic activities of daily living (ADLs). Typically, benefits start when you can’t do two of six ADLs such as bathing, dressing, eating or transferring from bed to chair.
- Standalone policies — only cover LTC. Becoming rare, but still available from some carriers.
- Hybrid or linked-benefit policies — combine LTC with life insurance or annuities so unused value can go to heirs.
- Riders — add-ons for inflation protection, return-of-premium, or shared spousal benefits.
Covered services often include in-home care, adult daycare, respite care, assisted living, nursing homes, home modifications, and sometimes physical therapy or medical equipment. Waiting periods and elimination periods apply, and many plans are cash indemnity — providing set monthly payments — rather than reimbursement-only.
Key insight: choose the policy type that matches your estate goals — standalone if you only want LTC protection, hybrid if you want to leave a legacy even if LTC isn’t used.
Top long-term care insurance providers to consider in October 2025
We evaluated market options and customer-service signals to highlight carriers that stand out for specific needs. Below are the carriers readers mention most when shopping in 2025 and why they matter.
Mutual of Omaha — Best for seniors and late application ages
Mutual of Omaha still offers standalone LTC products and accepts applicants up to age 79, which is older than many competitors. That makes it a common choice for older buyers who still want traditional LTC protection.
- Age limits: 30–79
- Monthly benefit range: $1,500–$10,000
- Benefit periods: 24, 36, 48 or 60 months
- Typical add-ons: inflation protection, return-of-premium, care coordinator access
Pros include flexible elimination periods and discounts for couples or applicants in good health. Cons: key riders cost extra. If you’re applying later in life, Mutual of Omaha’s higher age cap can be decisive.
Key insight: if you’re past your mid-60s and want standalone coverage, Mutual of Omaha is one of the few remaining options worth comparing.
New York Life — Best for couples and robust care planning
New York Life continues to offer standalone long-term care options with multiple coverage tiers. Its My Care plan typically reimburses up to 80% of covered expenses and provides attractive discounts for couples.
- Age limits: up to 79
- Benefit amounts: typically $1,500–$7,000 monthly
- Benefits period: 2–7 years with some lifetime options
- Standout perk: ~25% couples discount on many plans
Pros: standalone options, care-planning teams, multi-tier pricing. Cons: quotes usually require agent contact rather than instant online pricing. For couples who want coordinated coverage, New York Life remains a top pick.
Key insight: couples often save significantly by enrolling together — and coordinated benefits can simplify future care decisions.
Northwestern Mutual — Best for high benefit limits
Northwestern Mutual offers both standalone and hybrid options. Policies can reach benefit caps higher than many competitors, making them suitable if you’re worried care costs will exceed standard limits.
- Standalone QuietCare benefits up to $12,000 monthly (some states higher)
- Hybrid Long-Term Advantage up to $15,000 monthly in select states
- Spousal discounts up to 30%
Pros: high maximums and spousal savings. Cons: medical exam often required and some hybrid options aren’t available in every state. If preserving a large benefit pool matters, Northwestern Mutual is a top candidate.
Key insight: higher benefit caps give more flexibility for long care stays, but expect stricter underwriting and medical requirements.
MassMutual — Best for customer satisfaction and hybrid whole life solutions
MassMutual’s hybrid offerings combine whole life insurance with a guaranteed LTC benefit and often rate highly on satisfaction surveys. The plans include a death benefit and increasing surrender values that can help if your needs change.
- Age availability: generally 35–69
- Plan types: hybrid whole life LTC riders (CareChoice One, CareChoice Select)
- Standout: strong J.D. Power satisfaction and low complaint volumes
Pros: high customer satisfaction and integrated death benefit. Cons: fewer standalone options and limited online information. If service quality and a death benefit are priorities, consider MassMutual.
Key insight: hybrid whole life products can deliver lifelong guarantees with LTC protection and often receive higher satisfaction scores.
Brighthouse Financial — Best for inflation protection and indexed growth
Brighthouse SmartCare is a hybrid indexed universal life plan with LTC benefits. It offers flexible indexing and a level or fixed-growth option designed to help benefits keep pace with inflation.
- Age limits: typically 40–75
- Benefit periods: common options are 4 or 6 years
- Features: fixed-growth, indexed options, cash-indemnity payouts
Pros: indexed growth to protect purchasing power; cash indemnity pays full monthly amounts directly. Cons: stricter approval guidelines and less online quote transparency. If inflation protection is your main concern, Brighthouse is worth a detailed quote.
Key insight: choose indexed or fixed-growth riders to reduce the risk that benefits lag behind rising care costs.
Other notable carriers to compare: Genworth Financial, Transamerica, Bankers Life, National Guardian Life, Thrivent Financial
These carriers each serve distinct niches — from broker-distributed standalone policies to hybrid solutions and community-focused plans.
- Genworth Financial — historically a large LTC market player with broad product legacy; useful for older policy comparison.
- Transamerica — offers hybrid and linked-benefit options appealing to those who want life-plus-LTC features.
- Bankers Life — often focuses on simplified issue products and distribution to older buyers.
- National Guardian Life — small-market provider that shows up in broker marketplaces for competitive pricing.
- Thrivent Financial — value-driven products for certain communities with hybrid options and member-focused service.
Pros and cons vary dramatically by state and product. Working with a broker or comparing marketplaces often helps reveal the best match.
Key insight: regional availability and underwriting differences mean you should get multiple quotes — one carrier rarely dominates every buyer scenario.
How to shop, compare and buy long-term care insurance in October 2025
Shopping smart in 2025 means comparing hybrid vs standalone, checking inflation riders, and watching age limits. Use both direct carriers and brokers to uncover options you might miss online.
- Get at least three quotes — include a standalone option if available, a hybrid linked to life insurance, and a hybrid annuity option.
- Check discounts — couples, good health, and existing-company discounts can cut premiums substantially.
- Review elimination periods — shorter waits increase premiums but reduce out-of-pocket risk.
- Ask about cash indemnity vs reimbursement — cash payments simplify care payment but can affect underwriting.
Useful reading: if you’re also looking to optimize other parts of your insurance portfolio while shopping LTC, check our guides on reducing home insurance premiums, health insurance options, and smart ways to cut homeowners insurance costs. For context on why LTC is often described as a necessary retirement investment, see our in-depth piece about long-term care insurance as an investment.
Key insight: early planning (in your 50s or early 60s) usually secures lower premiums and more options, but late buyers should still compare to find remaining standalone offers or hybrid alternatives.
Practical checklist before you sign: underwriting, riders and real-life scenarios
Before you commit, verify underwriting rules, medical exam requirements, and state availability. It’s common for policies to differ in who they accept and what they cover.
- Review medical underwriting — some carriers require exams, others have stricter health exclusions.
- Confirm state availability — hybrid plans and certain riders may not be sold in New York or California.
- Test benefit triggers — ask your agent how ADLs and cognitive impairment are evaluated.
- Compare inflation riders — fixed 5% growth vs indexed growth vs simple inflation adjustments.
- Check partnership status — if relevant, confirm whether the plan qualifies for Medicaid partnership protections.
Need other insurance tweaks while you evaluate LTC? Our resources on auto insurance discounts in 2025, travel protection like our best travel insurance guide, and specialty options such as American Express travel insurance can help rebalance budgets.
Key insight: take the time to simulate scenarios (e.g., 3-year nursing home stay vs extended in-home care) to see which policy design best protects your assets.
How do I decide between a standalone and a hybrid policy?
Standalone policies focus only on long-term care benefits and may offer higher LTC limits but are harder to find. Hybrid policies combine life insurance or annuities with LTC benefits and can provide a death benefit if LTC is not used. Choose standalone if pure LTC protection is your priority; choose hybrid if you want a legacy for heirs or guaranteed value.
At what age should I buy long-term care insurance?
Many experts recommend buying in your 50s or early 60s to lock in lower premiums and better health-based underwriting. Policies are available to people in their 40s, and some carriers issue new policies up to age 79, but costs and eligibility vary by carrier.
What does ‘cash indemnity’ mean and why does it matter?
A cash indemnity policy pays a fixed monthly benefit amount directly to you, without requiring receipts. This provides flexibility for non-traditional care expenses, but underwriting and availability differ by company.
Premiums for qualified long-term care insurance may be tax-deductible depending on your age and tax situation. Benefits you receive are typically tax-free. Consult a tax advisor to confirm how deductions apply to your case.