Carriers aim new hybrids at LTC planning market

By Allison Bell

September 11, 2013 at 10:09 AM

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Two life insurers are using new whole life policy riders to court the long-term care (LTC) planning market.

Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and a unit of MetLife Inc. (NYSE:MET) introduced the riders this week.

Guardian says it will offer an "accelerated death benefit for long term care services" rider to anyone to buys a core whole life policy. A policyholder who pays for the rider can accelerate a portion of the policy death benefit if the policyholder becomes chronically ill and starts receiving qualified LTC services.

MetLife is calling its rider an "enhanced care benefit." MetLife is offering its rider with all whole life products.

A policyholder who uses the MetLife rider can accelerate up to 90 percent of a policy's death benefit over the life of the policy if the insured needs ongoing care as the result of a prolonged illness.

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