Sign that I’m Getting Old: I See Actual Evidence of Income Inequality

In my prior blog, www./2014/income-inequality-is-here, I gave irrefutable proof that income inequality is here. Due to the human tendency to deny facts that are unpleasant, it is often difficult for even smart, educated people to acknowledge this.

The email below comes from an informed prospective client who works in the long-term care industry. Every day she sees families in crisis, largely because their loved one does not own long-term care insurance (LTCi).  She believes LTCi is the only solution for middle-class people who want to secure their dignity and options, should the probable need for long-term care arise. She sought my help upon the strong recommendation of her friend.  We had a good rapport, and I showed her reasonable LTCi premiums. At the point of placing her LTCi application, she froze in fear, like a deer in headlights :

“Honey – Just wanted to touch base with you. I want to be respectful of your time. My week became crazy at work. Things went haywire with individuals quitting and getting laid off. I am going to hold up on my long term care insurance. I will pay the increase when I get the insurance. I may be getting laid off. I will know some time in Feb. I do not want to take on added expense until I know something. Thank you kindness and patience with me. ~ Tracy“

When I began selling LTCi 23 years ago, I did not get many objections like the one above. True enough, there was horrid, incorrect, sometimes scathing media coverage of LTCi in those days. This is not as true nowadays. People were also convinced Medicare would pay for their long-term care or that their kids would care for them. Thankfully, both of these myths have been largely dispelled.

Now we have income inequality replacing the obstacles described above and throwing a wrench into what I believe would be an otherwise thriving LTCi industry.

This is sad to me. With the presence of income inequality, there is a stronger than ever need for LTCi ownership.