As we approach our 50's and begin thinking about retirement and the process we realize that there are many gaps in our employee benefits or our retirement plan. Many people who have retired from the three major automobile corporations or from the school systems have had EXCELLENT employee benefits and will keep them or some variation of them at retirement. These retirees have spent the last 30 or 40 years being taken care of (in a sense) by their employer. They've not had to make any of the decisions regarding health insurance, vision, dental, life insurance, or pension income benefits. However, the fact remains that one of the most serious issues we face as we age is the prospect of having to make our own decision and provision for the risk of needing health care for an extended period of time. This could include not being able to care for ourselves and not having "Big Brother" (our employer) there to provide insurance coverage for this risk.

The fact remains that our employee benefit package does not include coverage for the single largest health care risk we face in these times. Long-Term Care insurance may have been OFFERED by our employer but how many of us took advantage of the benefit since we were selecting it at OUR COST and not that of the employer.

Now is the time to take a serious look at your health plan and face the issue of Long-Term or Extended health care. One out of every 2 people age 65 will require a minimum of 6 months of care for a chronic health condition. The average length of care for a male either at home, or in a facility is 2.5 years and for a female it is 2.9 years at a cost of $35,000 to $60,000 per year.

Does your retirement plan include a provision for a minimum of $87,000 to $174,000 for Long-Term health care for 1 spouse? If both spouses ultimately need care the cost could be $175,000 to $348,000 total.

A stroke could cost you your Life. Do you know how much it could cost if you survive the stroke?

It has become a well known fact that the Federal government is not in the Long-Term Care business. President Clinton proposed in January of this year that there would be a tax credit of $3,000 per year for families caring for a disabled family member. In addition there would be a massive program to educate government employees with regard to Long-Term Care and the fact that they ARE NOT COVERED for this life event. Listen carefully to the message being sent from Washington. Long-Term Care IS and WILL BE the personal responsibility of the general population.

Now is the time to accept responsibility for the potential risk of a Long-Term Care event. Your employer won't pay for it, your medical insurance won't pay for it, the government won't pay for it and your children probably cannot pay for this expensive care.

You bear the responsibility of determining the quality of your convalescent years. Will you make the right CHOICE or will you take a CHANCE that you will not be one of the unfortunate people who become impoverished paying for Long-Term health care ?

Some of the most informed purchasers of Long-Term Care insurance are those individuals involved in the health care industry. They see on a daily basis the effects and the ramifications of not having adequate health care coverage. What do they know that the general public does not know?

As with any other major purchasing decision, EDUCATION is the key. Seek out a professional Long-Term Care insurance specialist and begin asking the questions. Become educated, we can no longer count on the "Big People" to take care of us.