John Hancock: ADVANCED MARKETS NEWS (October 2026)

Beyond self-funding: Rethinking long-term care planning

With Long-Term Care Awareness Month approaching, it's an ideal time to revisit a common assumption: affluent clients may be able to self-fund long-term care (LTC), but is that the most efficient use of their assets?

The conversation should not stop at whether clients can afford care. It can also explore strategies that may help address LTC risk while preserving liquidity, keeping assets productive, and supporting family and legacy objectives.

Explore our resources addressing some of the most common LTC-related questions we hear:

Is there a more efficient way to fund LTC risk?

Planning for LTC with OPM: This blog explores how leveraging “other peoples’ money” — i.e., outside sources of capital — may help clients preserve wealth, maintain liquidity and support legacy goals.

Do you have a client-facing resource to continue the conversation?

The hidden costs of self-funding care: This consumer-approved two-page flyer can help initiate and translate the OPM concept into simple, relatable language that helps explain the hidden costs and tradeoffs of self-funding LTC.

Is there a way for clients to address LTC risk while keeping more of their assets working for them?

Keeping capital invested, protected & purposeful: This thought-leadership piece explores how John Hancock’s LifeCare product aligns with an affluent mindset to maintain liquidity, support legacy objectives and keep capital productive whether care is needed or not.

Can LTC planning create tax efficiencies that self-funding cannot?

Federal & state LTC tax guide: This guide highlights the unique tax advantages of qualified LTC insurance, including income tax-free benefits and potential LTC premium deductibility.

How can life insurance support LTC planning?

Because you asked — LTC riders: This Q&A covers different LTC rider features, benefit payments, chronic illness rider comparisons, and important tax and planning considerations.

Additional resources

John Hancock SalesHub

Discover what JH Solutions can do for you

JH Solutions^® is available within the JH Illustrator software for your concept-based illustration needs. Learn more: JH Solutions Concepts in JH Illustrator.

We are pleased to introduce three new Advanced Markets planning concepts now available in JH Illustrator.

IRA optimization with estate tax expands the traditional IRA optimization conversation beyond income taxes to illustrate the additional impact estate taxes may have on IRA assets for ultra-high-net-worth clients, and how life insurance can help reposition wealth for a more tax-efficient legacy.
Non-citizen spouse discusses estate-planning challenges when a spouse is not a US citizen and will not qualify for the unlimited marital deduction, and illustrates how Qualified Domestic Trust (QDOT) planning and life insurance can help provide liquidity and support wealth-transfer goals.
The power of permanent illustrates how permanent life insurance can help address long-term protection needs while providing additional value and flexibility to support clients’ evolving financial and legacy goals, compared with a term insurance and invest-the-difference strategy.

Our Advanced Markets team is here to support you with case consultations, design insights and educational resources you can bring directly to your clients.

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In case you missed it:

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FOR AGENT USE ONLY. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE USED WITH THE PUBLIC.

Insurance policies and/or associated riders and features may not be available in all states.

Some riders may have additional fees and expenses associated with them.

The Long-Term Care (LTC) rider is an accelerated death benefit rider and may not be considered long-term care insurance in some states. There are additional costs associated with this rider. The Maximum Monthly Benefit Amount is $50,000. When the death benefit is accelerated for long-term care expenses it is reduced dollar for dollar, and the cash value is reduced proportionally. Please go to www.jhsaleshub.com to verify state availability.

The LifeCare Long-Term Care rider and the LifeCare Long-Term Care Inflation rider accelerate the death benefit for approved long term care expenses and, depending on the benefit period selected, may also offer an extension of long-term care benefits after the death benefit has been fully accelerated. When the death benefit is accelerated for long-term care expenses, it is reduced dollar for dollar, and the cash value is reduced proportionately. The riders have a maximum monthly benefit amount and are subject to underwriting. There are additional fixed premiums associated with these riders. The riders have exclusions and limitations, reductions of benefits, and terms under which it may be continued in force or discontinued. Consult the state specific Outline of Coverage for additional details.

This material does not constitute tax, legal, investment or accounting advice and is not intended for use by a taxpayer for the purposes of avoiding any IRS penalty. Comments on taxation are based on tax law current as of the time we produced the material. All information and materials provided by John Hancock are to support the marketing and sale of our products and services, and are not intended to be impartial advice or recommendations. John Hancock and its representatives will receive compensation from such sales or services. Anyone interested in these transactions or topics may want to seek advice based on his or her particular circumstances from independent professionals.

LifeCare is not available in New York.

Insurance products are issued by: John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), Boston, MA 02116 (not licensed in New York) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York, Valhalla, NY 10595. MLINY102726041-1

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