FAQs

  1. What is Permanent Life Insurance + Long Term Care (LTC) benefits and what does it cover?

    The policy provides a Permanent Term Life Insurance policy with a Long Term Care rider is permanent Life Insurance (to age 121) that combines the benefits of both Life Insurance protection for your family along with living benefits, which can be utilized to help pay for long term care such as home healthcare, adult day care, assisted living facilities and nursing home expenses. Long Term Care is personal care - help with everyday activities such as bathing and dressing (also known as "Activities of Daily Living”) and/or care for severe cognitive impairments like Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia.

  2. What is the difference between Long Term Care and Long Term Disability insurance?

    Long Term Care benefits helps cover the cost of a nursing home, assisted living, adult day care or home health care if you become unable to care for yourself. Long Term Disability insurance replaces a portion of the income you will lose if you are unable to work because of an injury or illness.

  3. How does the Long Term Care Benefit pay?

    When qualifying for Long Term Care and satisfying a 90 day elimination period (waiting period), 4% of the death benefit is paid monthly for professional care and 2% of the death benefit is paid monthly for informal care (from a spouse or non- licensed individual). For applicants through age 70, the maximum Long Term Care benefit is equal to 2X the death benefit. For applicants 71 to 75, the maximum Long Term Care benefit is equal to the death benefit.

  4. Can the plan provide LTC benefits for care provided by unlicensed/informal caregivers such as family or friends?

    Yes, you may use a family member or friend as your caregiver. Once your claim has been approved, the policy would pay 2% of your death benefit to you each month up to your policy limits for you to pay for your care in your home or a caregiver’s home.

  5. How is the death benefit structured?

    The death benefit is structured to pay in full during your working years and reduces to 1/3rd of the original death benefit at the later of age 70 or 10 years after the Certificate Effective Date.

    Note: The Long Term Care benefit which is equal to 2X the original death benefit never reduces until LTC payments begin and will continue until and unless the original LTC maximum benefit is exhausted (paid out in full).

  6. Does the death benefit reduce as LTC payments are made?

    For applicants through the age of 70, your Certificate of Coverage includes Restoration of Death Benefit. This restores the death benefit as LTC payments are made which guarantees a death benefit to age of 121, as long as premiums are paid and the policy remains in force.

  7. Can I add my spouse?

    Yes, spouse aged 18 to 70 is eligible to apply if the employee applies for coverage, and can apply for a policy amount up to 100% of the employee’s coverage amount not to exceed $100,000 in life insurance including $200,000 in LTC benefits.

    They will need to answer one question to qualify for coverage up to $15,000 in Life Insurance including $30,000 in LTC benefits.

  8. What questions are asked of an employee and or spouse that applies for amounts of coverage that are higher than guaranteed issue amounts?

    1. Is the proposed insured now disabled – i.e., unable to engage in normal activity due to physical or mental impairment?
    2. Has the proposed insured been seen by a physician or treated in a medical facility, including a doctor’s office, within the last 6 months for illness or disease (other than flu, colds, or HIV)?
    3. Has the proposed insured had within the past 5 years: heart disease; chest pains; high blood pressure; stroke; diabetes; cancer; tumor; kidney disease; blood disorder (excluding any testing for HIV antibodies); liver disease; lung disease; or other known health impairments?


    Note, these questions also apply to any employee / spouse that applies for any amount of coverage after the initial enrollment.

  9. How are premiums paid?

    Premiums are paid on a monthly basis via your checking or savings account. Given that this is permanent coverage, this policy is directly owned and paid for so that no action is required upon termination / retirement from work.

  10. How is my rate determined?

    This insurance offers unisex rates based on your age as of the policy effective date, tobacco usage and coverage amount selected.

  11. Does the policy build up cash value?

    No. This policy is a term life insurance policy that does not build up any cash value.

  12. Do premiums continue when on LTC claim?

    The plan has Waiver of Premium, which means that while you receive LTC benefits, all premiums are waived.

  13. Can my premiums increase in the future?

    Once coverage has been issued, rates can never increase, and coverage is guaranteed for life (to age 121) as long as premiums are paid.

  14. What is my 30-day Free Look Period, and when does it begin?

    You may return your certificate within thirty days after delivery if you are not satisfied with it for any reason. Upon surrender of the certificate within the thirty-day period, it will be void from the beginning and any premium paid will be refunded.

  15. What if I cancel my plan outside of the 30-Day Free Look Period? Do I get my money back?

    If an insured cancels the policy after the 30-Day Free Look Period, there will be no refund of any premiums paid.

  16. Where does the plan pay for care?

    If you qualify for LTC benefits, where you receive care is up to you (at home, assisted living, adult day care, nursing home).

  17. Will the plan pay for care outside of the US?

    The Trustmark Life + Care policy will only pay for LTC benefits for care received in the United States. Death benefits are paid internationally.