Wednesday - June 24th, 2026
Apple News
×

What can we help you find?

Open Menu
June 14th, 2026

The Hidden Tax Cost of Self-Funding Long-Term Care #IRAPlanning #LongTermCareTax #TaxFreeBenefits

What does it actually cost to pay for long-term care out of your pocket? Many retirees plan to "self-fund" their future medical or assisted living costs using their savings. However, most people don’t consider the severe tax consequences of withdrawing large sums from a traditional IRA or 401(k) all at once.

In this video, we break down the reality of self-funding long-term care. If your care costs $10,000 a month, you can’t just take out $10,000. Because of income taxes, you may actually need to withdraw $16,000 to $18,000 a month from your IRA to cover that single bill. This accelerated spending can quickly drain the assets you intended to pass down to your children or cause massive disruptions to your charitable giving. Learn how to leverage tax-free long-term care benefits to protect your hard-earned Retirement assets from unnecessary taxation.

🔍 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
– Are long-term care insurance benefits taxable? No, qualified long-term care insurance benefits are generally received tax-free, unlike withdrawals from traditional IRAs which are taxed as ordinary income.

– Why is self-funding healthcare risky in retirement? Self-funding forces you to liquidate assets under pressure. If those assets are in tax-deferred accounts, the massive tax hit can double your actual care expenses and deplete your Estate much faster than anticipated.

Questions? Email us at [email protected], call us at (919) 535-8261, or visit our website at https://cardinalguide.com/

Hans Scheil Hans “John” Scheil, CFP®

Hans “John” Scheil is the author of The Complete Cardinal Guide and has over 40 years of experience specializing in helping individuals at or near retirement. John’s insurance career began at the age of 18, when he sold insurance while attending college full time. His years in the insurance industry included positions as a Branch Manager, National Sales Director, and Senior Vice President for several nationally recognized insurance companies. John holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Illinois University (1980) and a Master of Science in Management from The American College (2007).

John resides in Cary, North Carolina, with his wife, Ronda, and dog, Ellie, and has two grown sons. He is involved locally with StepUp Ministries and the Alzheimer’s Association. John enjoys golf, traveling the world, and leadership.