Why Nationwide’s CareMatters II May Be the Smartest Hybrid Long-Term Care Insurance for Protecting Your Family and Legacy

Protect Your Family & Legacy

When most people think about long-term care insurance, they picture a traditional policy that only kicks in when you’re in a nursing home or need full-time care. “With traditional LTC, if you never use the benefits — you will lose all of your premium dollars put into this plan. But, what if you could protect your future with a plan that’s more flexible, more accessible, and comes with a built-in safety net for your family? A plan that guarantees your premium dollars will never be wasted.

Enter Nationwide’s CareMatters II Plan — one of the most advanced options on the market today when it comes to hybrid long-term care insurance. It combines the protection of life insurance with a long-term care rider, giving you a way to care for yourself and protect your legacy. In today’s post, we’ll explore why this product is turning heads and changing lives.

What Makes Hybrid Long-Term Care Insurance So Different?

Hybrid long-term care insurance is exactly what it sounds like: it blends two important protections into one powerful policy. In the case of Nationwide's CareMatters II plan, it combines permanent life insurance with a long-term care benefit that can be used while you’re still alive. Unlike traditional long-term care policies that often follow a use-it-or-lose-it model, hybrid long-term care plans allow you to access your policy benefits if you need care — and if you don’t, your family still receives a death benefit. This means your premium dollars are never wasted.

Turn Existing Assets into a Long-Term Care Plan That Pays You More

CareMatters II is considered an asset-based long-term care plan, that means you’re essentially repositioning an existing asset (like cash, a CD, or an underperforming annuity) into a policy that can multiply its value and provide tax-advantaged long-term care benefits. In addition to lump-sum funding, you also have options to pay over-time on a monthly basis for (5 years, 10- years, or pay until age 65 or 100)

For example: Let’s say you fund CareMatters II with $100,000 lump sum payment. Depending on your age and options, that could result in $300,000 to $500,000 or more in long-term care benefits. That money is available to you, tax-free, if you ever need it for care. This is a game changer for people worried about rising care costs — especially if you want to stay in your home and, to make sure you stay in control on how you receive care.

Get Paid Monthly — No Receipts. No Red Tape. Total Control

Most traditional long-term care insurance policies only reimburse you after you show receipts. That can mean paperwork, restrictions, and limited flexibility. With Nationwide’s CareMatters II, you get cash indemnity payments — a set amount of tax-free money paid directly to you each month. No need to submit bills to get re-imbursed. No restrictions on who you pay. You can use the funds to hire family members, bring in private care, or even pay normal household bills. It’s your money to use however you see fit. This freedom is especially valuable if you prefer home care over a facility-based care, or if you want to retain control of how your care is delivered. Did you know that: 88% of Older Americans surveyed said they prefer to be in control of their own care and to have care at home.

Guaranteed Premiums and Flexibility

CareMatters II offers several payment options — single pay, 5-pay, 10-pay, and payments to age 65 or 100. You get to choose how you fund it based on your financial goals and timeline. And, once your premium schedule is completed, your benefits are locked in. There are no surprises or premium increases later, like you would have with traditional long-term care. That’s a big deal in an industry where traditional long-term care insurance rates have skyrocketed over the years. You can also choose inflation protection options (3% or 5% compound annually, or CPI-based) to ensure your benefits grow along with the ever-increasing cost of care.

What Happens If You Never Use Your Long-Term Care Policy?

One of the greatest strengths of hybrid long-term care insurance is that it protects your family whether you need care or not. If you never use the long-term care benefits, CareMatters II pays out a guaranteed death benefit to your heirs. Even if you do use the benefits, your family receives a residual death benefit. There are even return of premium options if you change your mind or no longer need the coverage.

This is a major advantage over traditional long-term care policies, which often leave nothing behind if long-term benefits are never used. Purchasing a Hybrid LTC policy you are guaranteed that your premium dollars will never be lost.

What Makes Nationwide Care-Matters II Stand Out

Nationwide is one of the most trusted names in the industry. Their CareMatters II product is backed by strong financial ratings of the insurance company (Nationwide is Rated Either A, A1, or A+ Superior as an insurance company) and, has a commitment to transparency and policyholder service.

When compared to other LTC options, CareMatters II offers:

• True cash indemnity payments *(No receipts required)*

• Flexible premium payment structures

• Built-in inflation protection

• Residual death benefits

• Tax-free LTC benefits

Nationwide CareMatters II, checks nearly every box for someone seeking Life Insurance with long-term care benefits. A plan that will not waste their premium dollars.

Best Hybrid Long-Term Care Insurance Policies in the Market Today

If you're comparing options, here are five top-rated hybrid LTC policies worth considering:

1. Nationwide CareMatters II

2. Lincoln Financial MoneyGuard® II

3. OneAmerica Asset Care®

4. Brighthouse SmartCare

5. Securian SecureCare® III

Each of these policies has its own unique features, but CareMatters II continues to lead with its cash indemnity model, customization options, and strong consumer-friendly features.

Quick Poll: We would love to hear from you!

Do You Currently Have Long-Term Care Insurance

• Yes
• No

If You Needed Care, Would You Prefer:

• Care In My Home
• Care In an Assisted Living or Nursing Home Facility
• Not Sure Yet

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right long-term care plan is one of the most important financial decisions you can make. Nationwide’s CareMatters II offers a modern, flexible, and powerful approach to long-term care planning that protects your independence, your assets, and your legacy. If you're considering your options for long-term care insurance, don’t settle for outdated Long-term care options.

You may never need care…But what if you do? 7 out of 10 people age 65+ will need long-term care. Do you have a plan that will help pay for this care — or will your savings or family have to pay for this care?

CareMatters II gives you tax-free benefits for your care if needed — or a legacy for those you love if you don’t.

Explore the value and peace of mind that comes with hybrid long-term care insurance, especially one that provides you with life insurance along with a long-term care rider and the freedom to use it your way. If you answered "No" to question 1 or "Not sure Yet" to question 2— let’s talk. Contact our office today to schedule a "Free 15-minute call" to see if "Hybrid Long-Term Care" is a smart fit for your financial plan.